Sikkim floods: 1700 evacuated, rescue operations to continue, says IAF

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has evacuated over 1,700 personnel, IAF officials said on Saturday, adding that rescue operations would continue in flood-hit areas of Sikkim.

Chinook and Mi-17 V5 helicopters of the Indian Air Force are continuing operations in the flood-affected areas of Sikkim, officials said, with over 200 personnel deployed to augment relief efforts.

“IAF helicopters have also delivered nearly 99 tonnes of relief material in the 200 sorties flown so far. Operations will continue as long as requirements exist,” IAF officials said.

In an earlier statement, the IAF said it had deployed its Mi-17 V5, CH-47 Chinooks and Cheetah helicopters as part of relief efforts in flood-hit Sikkim to evacuate those stranded in remote areas and to drop essential supplies to areas , which have been cut off.

According to the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) report dated October 11 at 8:00 PM, the death toll was recorded at 37. It also said that 78 were reported missing.

The Lhonak Glacier in the Sikkim Himalayas burst on October 3, breaching one side of the lake, causing the Teesta water level to rise and inundating several areas of the state, leaving dozens dead and thousands of tourists stranded.

Sikkim experienced significant disruption due to the recent flash floods that damaged footbridges, roads and other infrastructure.