Lhonak Lake began to overflow its banks last Wednesday, after heavy rainfall in the first five days of October. In addition to dozens of victims, the flooding has also caused extensive damage to local infrastructure, reports the British news agency Reuters. At least fourteen bridges have been washed away by the rising waters. In total, around 22,000 people were affected by the disaster. An unknown number of people are missing.
Damage to roads and bridges makes it more difficult for emergency services to reach the hardest-hit areas. According to the state government, emergency aid has started and eighteen relief camps have been set up. Neighboring country Bangladesh, which is itself regularly affected by floods, is also keeping a close eye on the situation, Reuters writes.
The flood is the worst in Sikkim, which is sandwiched between India’s neighbors China, Nepal and Bhutan, since October 1968. An estimated 1,000 people were killed by floods that year.