Sikkim-Bengal Floods LIVE: 26 Students Stranded In Flood-Struck Regions, 26 Dead

<p><strong>Sikkim-Bengal Floods LIVE: </strong>Follow this space for all the latest updates on the floods in Sikkim and Bengal.</p> <p>So far, at least 25 people have lost their lives and 143 are reportedly missing after the flash flood struck River Teesta during the early hours of Wednesday. The Indian Army and the NDRF are leading the search and rescue operations in the Himalayan state.</p> <p>Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of those who died in the state due to the flash floods. He also declared an immediate relief of Rs 2,000 to each person who is being sheltered in relief camps right now. There has been damage worth at least thousands of crores.</p> <p>At least 26 students from Meghalaya were stranded in Sikkim after flash floods impacted connectivity by damaging the roads and bridges in Sikkim, said officials on Friday. Out of 31 students from Meghalaya, who were studying in Sikkim, five returned to their hometowns. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to bring the remaining 26 back.&nbsp;</p> <p>Earlier, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose on Thursday said the ecology is being destroyed in the name of development. Bose maintained his stance that specific studies need to be undertaken in order to mitigate disasters like this. While speaking to reporters on the way to the flood-struck areas of northern West Bengal, he said that a permanent solution must be found so that such calamities do not strike again.</p> <p>Various areas in Kalimpong, including Teesta Bazar and Rampu, were hit by floods. National Highway 10, which connects Siliguri with Gangtok, was closed near Kalimpong, reported ABP Ananda. A red alert was issued in areas near the banks of the Teesta, including Ghazaldoba, due to a rise in the water levels.</p> <p>West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee earlier said that 10,000 people were rescued and kept in 190 relief camps in nine districts in the southern and northern parts of the state.</p>

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