Govt of India providing all possible help: Sikkim CM Tamang

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Saturday said that the Indian government has provided all possible help to support the state during the disaster triggered by a flash flood that has now claimed the lives of 53 people. “Government of India is providing all possible help. Logistic support, Army, and financial aid for immediate relief are being provided by the government. The Centre is monitoring the situation closely. President Droupadi Murmu, PM Modi, and Union HM Amit Shah called me to take stock of the situation,” Tamang said.

#WATCH | On Sikkim flash floods, CM Prem Singh Tamang says "Government of India is providing all possible help. Logistic support, Army, and financial aid for immediate relief are being provided by the government. The Centre is monitoring the situation closely. President Droupadi… pic.twitter.com/1BgHBGLMvw

— ANI (@ANI) October 7, 2023

The flash flood, which was triggered by a cloudburst in the early hours of Wednesday, has affected over 25,000 people, damaged more than 1,200 houses and washed away 13 bridges, bringing the picturesque Himalayan state to its knees. Over 142 people are still missing in the northeastern state as search operations to track them down continue. The chief minister added, “Our priority is to rescue the stranded people and restore electricity and water supply. According to yesterday’s data, 19 bodies have been recovered, 103 are missing. Out of the 22 missing Army officials, 7 bodies have been found. Some more bodies were recovered late at night, we are counting the numbers. The total number of affected families is over 22,000 and we have rescued over 3900 people and have kept them at rescue camps.”

#WATCH | On Sikkim flash floods, CM Prem Singh Tamang says "...Our priority is to rescue the stranded people and restore electricity and water supply. According to yesterday's data, 19 bodies have been recovered, 103 are missing. Out of the 22 missing Army officials, 7 bodies… pic.twitter.com/HrttqTaRH4

— ANI (@ANI) October 7, 2023

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Meanwhile, bad weather in the northeastern state is hampering search and rescue operations, forcing the army and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel to trek and even take boats to the flood-affected regions of the state.