Around 3,500 people — residents, tourists and migrant workers — have been rescued so far from Sikkim after the flash flood that occurred last Wednesday, multiple sources have said.

From Mangan district, over 1,700 people have been rescued during the past two days as choppers of the Indian Air Force conducted around 100 sorties for evacuation, sources in the Sikkim government said on Wednesday. Some 1,800 others have been rescued by road from Namchi, Pakyong and Gangtok — the other three affected districts — as well as Mangan.

On October 4, a flash flood in the Teesta brought devastation across vast areas of Sikkim and parts of Kalimpong district in neighbouring Bengal. In Mangan, people were stranded as the raging river washed away roads, disconnecting places like Chungthang, Lachen, Lachung and Dzongu.

The Sikkim government approached the Indian army and air force to extend help to evacuate tourists and send essential items to these areas.

During the past two days, the Indian Air Force airlifted stranded tourists and residents from Lachen and Lachung.

The IAF engaged three Mi-17 helicopters, two Chinooks, two Cheetah choppers and an advanced light helicopter for the exercise.

“In all, 1,584 stranded tourists were rescued from Mangan. Some others stuck in Chungthang were rescued by the army, the ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) and local volunteers through the footbridge built in Chungthang,” said a source.

Relief materials of around 50,000 tonnes were sent by choppers to the affected areas during these two days.

On Wednesday, the Teesta suddenly rose in north Sikkim owing to rain. The swollen river damaged the footbridge in Chungthang and the movement of people stopped for some hours. Later in the day, the bridge was repaired and movement resumed between Chungthan and Pegong on both sides of the Teesta.

“On Wednesday, evacuation couldn’t be carried out in the northern part of Sikkim because of inclement weather. Weather experts have forecast clear skies in the next two days, which will help continue the evacuation process,” the source added.

In Mangan, the main concern is to restore road connectivity on the Chungthang-Lachen route. "As there has been extensive damage in Toong and Naga areas on the route, officials and engineers are exploring options to bypass the disrupted stretch,” said an official.

Toll increases

The toll increased to 37 on Wednesday in Sikkim. The highest number of deaths — 24 — has been reported in Pakyong, said officials. Also, 78 people are reported missing.

The inter-ministerial central team sent by the Centre to Sikkim left for Delhi on Wednesday after field visits and aerial surveys.