Gangtok, Aug 28 (PTI) Eight Sikkim residents, who were on the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra, were stranded in Tibet after a flash flood hit the region two days ago, the state disaster management authority said on Friday.
They have been contacted and found safe, it said.
The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) said, “The eight pilgrims crossed the Nepal-China border on August 25 and were in Saga County on the Tibet side when a glacial lake outburst flood/flash flood struck the region on August 26, disrupting their movement.” Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang spoke to all eight pilgrims over the phone on Thursday to inquire about their safety and well-being, the SSDMA said.
The pilgrims were reported safe at Saga County, even as movement in the region remained affected by the disaster, it said.
“The eight people from East Sikkim have been contacted and found to be safe,” the SSDMA said, adding that the state government has constituted a task force to coordinate, monitor and facilitate assistance to Sikkim residents affected or stranded by the flash floods.
The task force is coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs and maintaining contact with affected residents and their families, the statement said.
The SSDMA has also set up a 24×7 helpline at the State Emergency Operations Centre for families seeking information or assistance. The helpline numbers are 03592-201145, 03592-202461 and 03592-2025256.
The Nepal-Tibet border region continues to grapple with the aftermath of the devastating flash floods, which left large areas cut off and disrupted movement along the pilgrimage route, the SSDMA said.
The death toll from flash floods in Nepal rose to 538 on Friday, with more bodies recovered as search and rescue operations continue with caution following the threat of fresh flooding due to an increase in the water level of a lake formed by avalanches on the border with Tibet.
Search and rescue operations continued for the third day of the tragic incident with the mobilisation of 7,451 security personnel, including 2,391 Nepal Army personnel, a Nepal Police statement said.
An ice-rock avalanche triggered by a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border sent a torrent of water, mud and debris downstream through central Nepal on Wednesday, devastating towns and villages, washing away homes, vehicles, roads and bridges, and damaging hydropower projects. PTI CORR BDC
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.