A devastating cloudburst in Sikkim’s Mangan district has led to flash floods, claiming six lives and leaving over 1,200 domestic tourists and 15 foreign nationals stranded in Lachung village, according to the state’s tourism department.
The cloudburst, which brought over 220.1 mm of rainfall on Wednesday night, has resulted in severe disruptions, with Chief Secretary VB Pathak coordinating efforts to rescue the stranded tourists. Talks are underway with the Centre to airlift them if weather conditions permit; otherwise, evacuation by road may take up to a week due to road damages caused by active landslides.
In response to the disaster, relief efforts are in motion, with a relief camp set up in Pakshep for the affected residents. The state government has announced relief measures for the families of the victims. However, challenges remain in restoring road connectivity, with multiple landslides hindering progress.
Mr. Pathak reassured that there are no immediate threats from glacial lakes, with ongoing monitoring by the National Disaster Management Authority. However, rising water levels in the Teesta River pose concerns, particularly in low-lying areas. Efforts are being made to address these issues with relevant ministries.
While damages have been reported in areas near Mangan, connectivity to places like Lachen, Lachung, and Chungthang remains unaffected. The focus now lies on restoring damaged infrastructure and ensuring the timely supply of essential resources to affected areas.
The situation underscores the vulnerability of mountainous regions to natural disasters and the critical need for robust disaster management strategies to mitigate risks and ensure swift response and recovery efforts
Sources By Agencies
