Sikkim flash floods toll climbs to 14, over 100 missing
The floods were triggered by a glacial lake outburst in northern Lachen valley.
The toll from flash floods in the Teesta river in Sikkim rose to 14 on Thursday, ANI reported. At least 26 persons have sustained injuries.
The Sikkim government said that 102 persons are currently missing, including 22 Army personnel.
The floods were triggered by a glacial lake outburst in northern Sikkim’s Lachen valley. Chief Secretary VB Pathak said that the Lhonak lake breached its embankment and discharged large volumes of water into the Teesta, raising its levels.
The chief secretary added that 12 to 14 people working at the Teesta Stage 3 Dam in Chungthang are stranded in the tunnels, according to ANI. More than 3,000 tourists are feared trapped in the state as well.
Sikkim’s biggest hydropower project Sikkim Urja has been washed away, along with the 200-metre-long bridge connecting the powerhouse.
Terrible footages coming out of #Sikkim of the 1200 MW #ChungthangDam being breached.
— kaustubh (@kaustubhdeka) October 4, 2023
Precisely why many have warned about the #Himalayan zone not being suitable for big dams & heavy #infrastructure. But a certain model of 'development' burries such cautions, putting all at risk! pic.twitter.com/U7Y8vgiIlr
The state government has declared the floods a disaster under the Disaster Management Act.
According to Anit Thapa, Chief Executive of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, the flash floods have affected more than 5,000 people. The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration is a semi-autonomous council for the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal.
VIDEO | "More than 5,000 people across villages have been affected. Necessary relief is being provided to them," says @AnitThapa14, Chief Executive, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration on flash floods in Teesta river affecting north Bengal and Sikkim. pic.twitter.com/YJ2ZJxq8jp
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 5, 2023
The state government said that 14 bridges have collapsed due to the floods, reported Hindustan Times. The NH10, the main link between Sikkim and the rest of the country, was washed away entirely near the Likhuvir-Setijhora stretch. Urgent repair work will be carried out once the water subsides.
The army and National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited have assembled Bailey bridges – a type of portable, pre-fabricated, truss bridge – for necessities to reach the state from West Bengal’s Siliguri.
The state government has set up 18 relief camps in Singtam, Rangpo, Dikchu and Adarsh Gaon, areas that have suffered the most damage.
Heartbreaking news of a flash flood in Sikkim following a cloud burst, with 23 brave Army personnel missing. Our prayers and hopes are with them, their families, and the rescue teams working tirelessly.🙏🏾🤲🏾#SikkimFlood #PrayForSikkim
— Dr Kafeel Khan (@drkafeelkhan) October 4, 2023
pic.twitter.com/G4lw3XE2Ou
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took stock of the situation on Wednesday and assured Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang of all possible support. “I pray for the safety and well-being of all those affected,” he wrote on X.
Spoke to Sikkim CM Shri @PSTamangGolay and took stock of the situation in the wake of the unfortunate natural calamity in parts of the state. Assured all possible support in addressing the challenge. I pray for the safety and well-being of all those affected.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 4, 2023
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that the situation in Sikkim is precarious and urged the Centre and the state government to work together to rebuild the state.
“The Union Govt must recalibrate its strategy in dealing with ecologically fragile Himalayan states and must declare such tragedies, like Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh, as national disasters so that these states get adequate funds to rebuild themselves in a more sustainable manner,” he said in a tweet.
The situation in Sikkim is precarious as several people have lost their lives and many including our brave Army personnel are missing due to cloudburst and flash floods.
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) October 5, 2023
Our thoughts are with the people of Sikkim who are battling these distressing times.
The Union Govt must…
Satellite images of Lhonak Lake
The Indian Space Research Organisation on Wednesday released satellite images, which revealed that nearly 105 hectares of the Lhonak Lake was drained out between September 28 and October 4.
While the lake held 162.7 hectares of water on September 17, the volume went up to 167.4 hectares on September 28. On Wednesday, after the outburst, the lake was reduced to 60.3 hectares.
“It is observed the lake is burst and about 105 hectares has been drained out, which might have created a flash flood downstream,” the space agency said.
