Sikkim, a Buddhist state of 650,000 people wedged in the mountains between Nepal, Bhutan and China, received 101mm of rain in the first five days of October, more than double normal levels.
In October 1968, an estimated 1,000 people in Sikkim perished in floods.
Mukesh Kumar, a 43-year-old migrant worker in Rangpo, described how he and his neighbours had barely 10 minutes to escape before the flash flood hit.
“Had we not left for another two minutes, we might have drowned,” said Kumar, staring at the sludge and debris covering his lodgings.
Residents told Reuters that many people whose dwellings were on the ground floor could not have survived.
Baiju Sharma, 45, who ran a furniture business, surveyed the aftermath of the disaster.
“Where you are standing is 15 feet (4.5m) higher than earlier. You are standing on his house,” Sharma said, pointing towards his neighbour.
Government officials said that about 2,000 tourists stuck in cut-off areas of northern Sikkim were reported to be safe, and state authorities and the army had provided them with food and communication facilities to contact their families.
Source: CNA
