The death toll in the Sikkim floods last week has reached 74 as of Monday morning, according to government officials. At least 33 bodies, including those of nine Armymen, have been recovered so far from the slush and debris of the flash flood in the Teesta river.
At least 1,655 houses have been destroyed and 14 bridges were swept away in the flood, reports said.
The officials added that 101 people were still missing and a search and rescue operation is going on, adding that special radars, drones and Army dogs have been deployed.
The rescue operation has been affected by the destruction of National Highway 10, which is the lifeline of Sikkim, following damage to road surface and several bridges across the Teesta river.
Other routes to Sikkim's capital Gangtok are open through East Sikkim district but the roads beyond Mangan, North Sikkim, are cut off, according to officials. At least 6,705 people are staying across 30 relief camps in the state and many of them have been isolated from the rest of the country.
– with inputs from agencies
