Shillong, October 4: A flash flood struck the Teesta River in Sikkim’s Lachen valley after which 23 Army personnel have reportedly gone missing. Many roads and bridges have also been damaged.
This calamity was triggered by a cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim, leading to an abrupt surge in the Teesta River’s water levels.
As per India Today, the release of water from the Chungthang dam compounded the crisis, causing water levels to rise dramatically, reaching heights of 15-20 feet downstream.
Tragically, Army vehicles stationed near Singtam in Bardang were swept away by the torrential floodwaters. Search and rescue operations are in full swing to locate the missing personnel. The flash flood has also inflicted damage on multiple Army installations throughout the Lachen valley, necessitating comprehensive damage assessments.
The aftermath of the flood saw the collapse of the Singtham foot bridge over the Teesta River due to the surging waters. This calamity extended to National Highway 10, a crucial link connecting West Bengal to Sikkim, with several sections being washed away. Furthermore, Namchi faced severe road blockages and impassable routes due to the flash flood’s impact.
The State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) reported that Chungthang in Mangan district was isolated after the Toong bridge’s collapse. In Phidang and Dikchu, numerous houses were washed away, with six individuals reported missing. In Gangtok, four individuals sustained injuries in rain-related incidents and were promptly transported to hospitals for treatment. Over 500 people have been evacuated and relocated to relief camps in Namchi district.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Sikkim government has issued a high alert across the state, urging citizens to stay away from the Teesta River. Simultaneously, the Jalpaiguri administration in West Bengal has initiated the evacuation of residents from the lower catchment area of the river as a precautionary measure.
The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert, warning of heavy rainfall in Gangtok, Gyalshing, Pakyong, and Soreng districts over the next two days. In Mangan and Namchi districts, a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall has been issued.
This flash flood brings back memories of a devastating event earlier in June this year when North Sikkim experienced a catastrophic flash flood due to intense monsoon rains. Particularly hard-hit was the Pegong area, resulting in the complete closure of NH10 and significant damage to highway infrastructure, rendering it unsafe for vehicular traffic. The overflow of nearby rivers due to intense rainfall isolated areas like Lachen and Lachung from the rest of the state.
The flash flooding left approximately 2,400 tourists stranded in the region, prompting the deployment of the Army for rescue operations.