Sikkim floods: Search underway to trace missing army personnel; NDRF team in Chaten
A 23-member team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) reached Chaten on Tuesday where the police and army were carrying out search operations. Three bodies were found on Monday.
'The NDRF team from Pakyong airport reached Chaten by helicopters at 8am and started a search and rescue operation along with army and police,' said Arun Thatal, sub-divisional officer of Chungthang in Mangan district.
Also Read: Sikkim weather: Operation underway to rescue 1000 tourists; IMD predicts more rain
A statement issued by the Sikkim government on Tuesday morning said, 'In response to the ongoing disaster in North Sikkim, two V-5 helicopters landed at Pakyong Greenfield Airport, deploying teams from the NDRF. The NDRF units are equipped with satellite phones and essential emergency equipment.'
It also said that the first sortie of the day, comprising 23 NDRF personnel equipped with essential supplies, has successfully proceeded towards Chaten from Pakyong Greenfield Airport.
'The deployment aims to bolster on-ground efforts in the remote region, where access has been severely hampered due to recent natural disruptions. The teams will aid in evacuation, rescue and the establishment of temporary communication lines to assist affected residents,' the release said.
'Authorities have issued directives to explore alternate foot-access routes and assess the feasibility of helipad operations, depending on prevailing weather conditions. Efforts are made to reach isolated communities and ensure timely aid,' it added.
According to police, those missing are Lt Col Pritpal Sandhu, his wife Squadron Leader (retd) Arati B Sandhu and their daughter Amaria Sandhu, Subedar Dharamveer Singh, Sepoy Sainudheen PK and Sepoy Sunilal Muchahary.'
The three dead have been identified as Havildar Lakhwindar Singh, Lance Naik Munish Thakur and porter Abhishek Lakhada.
'Roads leading to the affected area in Chaten are all closed as some bridges have been washed away by rivers. There is no mobile connectivity and police personnel from Lachen police station somehow managed to reach the spot on foot. The army and the police were carrying out rescue operations,' Sonam Detchu Bhutia, superintendent of police Mangan in North Sikkim, had said on Monday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Admin on high alert as Ganga and Yamuna continue to swell
1 2 3 4 5 6 Prayagraj: Water levels in both the Ganga and Yamuna continue to rise in Sangam City on Saturday, sparking flood concerns among residents. Over the past 24 hours, the water level in the Ganga increased by 74 cm at Phaphamau and by 84 cm at Chhatnag while the Yamuna at Naini saw a significant rise of 1.10m. On Saturday morning, the water level of the Yamuna at Naini was recorded at 82.63m, an increase of 1.10m in the past 24 hours. By 12pm, it rose further to 82.70m, continuing its upward trajectory, and at 4pm, the water level was recorded at 82.79m (+09 cm). Similarly, the Ganga at Phaphamau was measured at 82.61m at 8am, an increase of 74 cm from the previous day. By noon, the water level rose to 82.73m, and at 4pm, the water level was 82.84m (+11 cm). At Chhatnag, the Ganga water level stood at 82.13m in the morning, rising to 82.21m by noon, marking an increase of 84cm over 24 hours. In the evening, the water level at this downstream part of Sangam was recorded at 82.30m (+09 cm). Danger level for both rivers is 84.734m. These sharp rises in water levels have raised alarm bells for those living in the low-lying areas along the riverbanks, especially in regions like Phaphamau, Chhatnag and Naini. With the rise of the Yamuna, there is growing concern about a potential backflow, which could aggravate the flood situation, especially with water inundating several low-lying localities including Salori, Chota and Bada Bagahada, parts of Kareli, Ashok Nagar, Ganga Nagar near Rajapur etc. The road on both sides of the Ganga has been submerged in floodwater for over three days. People living in homes affected by floods moved their belongings to the first floor and stored ration and items of their daily needs. Although the situation at Buxi Band STP is under control, the authorities are keeping a close watch. The water level at this important STP stood at 82.79m at 4pm. The increase in water levels caused significant flooding in several areas of Prayagraj, especially in Jhunsi and nearby villages. By Saturday morning, floodwaters reached Hetapatti Road, and by the evening, the situation worsened, with the administration deploying four small boats to facilitate movement. Villagers traveling to nearby areas like Garapur, Sahson, Koraon, Meja, Mauaima etc, now face a 10-15 km detour due to the flooding. In addition to road disruptions, the floods submerged hundreds of acres of rice and vegetable crops, causing significant agricultural losses. In light of the growing flood threat, district authorities submitted a request for Rs 60 lakh in funding to the Relief Commissioner. The district administration, along with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), is closely monitoring the situation. Authorities are ensuring that all activities are being carefully tracked, and additional measures are being implemented to handle the rising water levels. "We have completed all preparations for the flood season. As soon as the water levels reach critical levels, relief camps will be activated, and assistance will be provided immediately to those in need. Our priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents," said district magistrate Ravindra Kumar Mandar.
NDTV
5 days ago
- NDTV
Monsoon Kills 116 In Himachal, Causes Loss Of Rs 1,230 Crore: Report
The monsoon season in Himachal Pradesh has turned deadly, with a cumulative death toll of 116 people reported between June 20 and July 18, according to a report released by the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). Of the total casualties, 68 deaths have been directly attributed to rain-related disasters such as flash floods, cloudbursts, landslides, lightning, and electrocution, while 48 fatalities occurred due to road accidents, many of them linked to slippery conditions and falling debris during intense downpours. The state has witnessed 33 flash floods, 22 cloudbursts, and 19 landslides in less than a month, wreaking havoc on infrastructure and endangering human lives. Districts like Mandi, Kullu, Kangra, and Lahaul-Spiti have been among the worst-hit, facing multiple simultaneous incidents of flooding and road blockages. "From June 20 to July 18, a total of 116 deaths have been confirmed across Himachal. Of these, 68 deaths are disaster-related, while 48 people died in road mishaps that spiked during the ongoing monsoon season," the SDMA report noted. Among the rain-related fatalities, flash floods claimed 14 lives, cloudbursts led to 14 deaths, 12 people were killed in drowning incidents, landslides claimed one life, and 5 people were killed in electrocution incidents. Other causes, such as rockfalls and snake bites, led to 22 more deaths Mandi district reported the highest number of rain-related deaths at 16, followed by Kangra with 16, and Kullu with 7. Meanwhile, road accidents claimed 48 lives, with Solan (8), Kullu (7), Chamba (6) and Shimla (4) topping the list of vehicular fatalities. The SDMA linked many of these deaths to treacherous road conditions, poor visibility, and unstable slopes during heavy rains. In addition to the tragic loss of lives, the cumulative report also lists widespread damage to public infrastructure, homes, livestock, and crops. The total financial loss incurred due to the monsoon disaster across the state has been pegged at over Rs 1,23,000 lakh (Rs 1,230 crore). Authorities have urged travellers and residents to avoid unnecessary travel in vulnerable areas and comply with advisories. Rescue and restoration work is ongoing with support from NDRF, SDRF, Home Guards, and local administration.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Time of India
29 missing in Himachal Pradesh presumed dead, search being called off
Kullu: The 27 people missing in Himachal's Mandi district since the June-30-July 1 floods are presumed dead, so are two in Kullu, the administration said on Wednesday. Search and rescue operations in the disaster-hit areas of Mandi district will come to a complete halt within a week as National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams will be withdrawn in a phased manner, said an official. Mandi was hit by a barrage of 10 cloudbursts around a fortnight ago, triggering devastating flash floods. So far, 15 bodies have been recovered, and there is no trace of the 27 people still missing. Assisted by dog squads and drones, search teams have been combing Thunag, Gohar, Karsog, and Dharampur subdivisions and even as far as the banks of Beas and Satluj rivers, but without much success. "They have searched every inch of the affected places. Certain areas were searched more than once in the hope that the victims would be found. The victims were either buried in the piles of muck that came along with the floods, or they were washed away by the rivulets that flow into the Beas and Satluj rivers," said Mandi deputy commissioner Apoorv Devgan. The Mandi district administration has started the process of officially declaring the missing 27 people dead. "A notification inviting objections from residents will be issued soon. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Once the process is complete, we will issue the death certificates of all the missing people who are presumed dead, 15 days after the tragedy," said incident commander Surender Mohan, who is in charge of managing the disaster response in affected areas of Mandi. Of the 225 NDRF personnel, 125 have already been withdrawn. An Army unit was also brought back from the flood-hit Thunag and is presently stationed in Pandoh in Mandi district. A battalion of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has also been sent back to its base camp in Babeli near Kullu. "State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams are still stationed in the disaster-hit areas. I guess all the teams will be completely withdrawn in a week," Devgan told TOI. Nineteen people are missing in Thunag, seven in Gohar and one in Karsog. Two persons in Siund area of Sainj valley in Kullu district are also missing since a flash flood struck on June 25. They, too, are presumed dead. NDRF found the body of a third victim, 13-year-old Murti, after a three-day search but there was no sign of the other two. 109 Dead This Monsoon Himachal Pradesh has lost 109 people this monsoon and suffered a loss of over Rs 883 crore. According to the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), 22 of these deaths were in flash floods. Thirteen fell to their death, 11 drowned and six were killed by snake bites. As many as 45 people have died in accidents during the ongoing monsoon season, says the report.
