Indian Army's search and rescue efforts intensify in North Sikkim

The catastrophic cloudbursthas already claimed the lives of 18 people, while more than 98 individuals remain missing

In a race against time, the Indian Army remains steadfast in its search and rescue operation for the 22 missing soldiers in North Sikkim, as the Himalayan state grapples with the devastating aftermath of a cloudburst.

This catastrophic event has already claimed the lives of 18 people, while more than 98 individuals remain missing, swept away by the surging waters, Chief Secretary of the state V B Pathak said on Thursday.

Amidst this crisis, the Indian Army has extended a lifeline to the stranded civilians and tourists in the region. Troops are providing vital medical assistance and restoring telephone connectivity to those marooned in the remote areas of Chungthang, Lachung, and Lachen in North Sikkim. The magnitude of this disaster has left an estimated 3,000 tourists from outside the state stranded in various parts of Sikkim, adding to the urgency of the situation.