Produced by: Hitansh Gaur
Designed by: Mohsin Shaikh
Flash floods occurring due to a sudden cloudburst have wreaked havoc in the northern parts of Sikkim. The floods started after a sudden cloudburst on Tuesday night
A sudden cloudburst occurred over Lhonak lake in Sikkim on Tuesday night. The lake is situated at the bottom of ice peaks, which surround the world’s third highest mountain Kanchenjunga
Due to the sudden downpour over Lhonak lake, gates of the Chungthang dam were opened to release the water. The water release increased the height downstream in Teesta river by 20 feet causing a flood like situation
Credit: Twitter
The increased level of Teesta river has affected the army vehicles parked at Bardang near the Singtam town. The army has also stated that 23 soldiers have gone missing and search operations for them have begun
The death toll in Sikkim floods has risen to eight, as per officials. The floods have destroyed eight bridges so far while also affecting National Highway 10. Several sections of the highway, which connects the north-eastern state with Sikkim, have washed away
The state’s Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (PS Golay) reached Singtam town to take stock of the situation. Singtam is further downstream from the area, where the Army personnel have gone missing
The Sikkim government has also issued helpline numbers:Emergency Operations Center- Helpline Number
– 03592-202461/201145
Gangtok-03592-284444
Namchi- 03595-263734
Mangan- 03592-234538
Pakyong- 03592-291936
Soreng- 8016747244
Gyalshing- 03595-250888
For Tourist- 7001911393 ( Nodal Officer)(Asst. Director)- 8101426284
For All Army Personnel- 9906200205 (Nodal Officer, Army)
ITBP-03592-231340
SSB- 03592-251015
SDRF- 03592-220545
BRO- 03592-259208
ARMY- 03592-202228
Credit: Twitter
The flood’s severe impact has been witnessed in three districts – Mangan, Pakyong and Gangtok. The level of Teests river is expected to cross the danger mark in Mangan by the end of the day. Due to this, a flood alert has been issued in the districts of West Bengal and Bangladesh as well
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has addressed the situation in a post on X (Twitter). She has expressed concern over the missing army soldiers while also asking the people of Northern Bengal to remain vigilant. CM Mamata further wrote that top officials and ministers have reached the northern part of the state
CM Mamata Banerjee further said that the people from the districts of Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri are being evacuated to safer regions. Top officials of the states have rushed to these districts to oversee the rescue and relief operations