The death toll in Sikkim and West Bengal after Teesta river flash floods last week has reached 75 on Monday, according to government officials.
At least 34 bodies, including those of 10 Armymen, have been recovered so far from the slush and debris in Sikkim, according to PTI. A further 40 people died in West Bengal, said the Jalpaiguri district administration, reported Reuters citing officials who warned of duplication in the casualties reported by the two states.
The officials said 101 people were still missing and a search and rescue operation is going on, reported Reuters. They added that special radars, drones and Army dogs have been deployed.
At least 3,432 houses have been destroyed and 14 bridges were swept away in the flood, PTI reported. A total of 5,327 people have been rescued and evacuated.
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 6,505 people are staying across 26 relief camps in the state and many of them have been isolated from the rest of the country, according to PTI.
– with inputs from agencies
