Flood woes continue in Northeast, 27 dead in Sikkim, six in Assam

Guwahati: Flood woes continue in the Northeast as 27 people have died in Sikkim due to landslides triggered by heavy rain in the past 48 hours and six people have died in Assam.

Officials say 21 bodies including those of Indo-Tibetan Border Police and the Border Roads Organisation personnel have been recovered in Sikkim. The other victims were labourers. Eight people are missing.

The Northern part of Sikkim is cut off from the rest of the country. Nine landslides have blocked the main road between Chungthang and Mangan. National Highway 31-A is also blocked.

Officials say 21 bodies including those of ITBP and the BRO personnel have been recovered in Sikkim.

The BRO says it could take a month to restore connectivity. Meanwhile, the Army and IAF personnel have launched rescue operations.

Chungthang SDM Raj Yadav said, "The major challenge is providing water and electricity. We will distribute water to every house using water tankers. A few generators have been put into service to light street lamps. Kerosene will be provided to houses tomorrow."

In Assam, heavy rain has triggered a third wave of floods. Sixteen districts are badly hit and six people have died. Three wildlife sanctuaries including the Kaziranga National Park are under water. Thousands have been fleeing to relief camps. The Army and the IAF have evacuated more than 4,000 people from the affected areas.

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