Sikkim Flash Floods: Restoration Efforts Underway, Tourist Evacuation Continues

GANGTOK: Officials in North Sikkim are tirelessly working to restore connectivity in regions isolated by a recent flash flood, employing temporary bridges and various other means, and continuing the evacuation of stranded tourists.

Teams from the Army and various government agencies are engaged in efforts to provide essential commodities to affected communities.

Of the approximately 1,700 tourists marooned in north Sikkim, 690 have been successfully rescued, including 26 foreigners, owing to Indian Air Force (IAF) operations conducted since Monday in Lachen and Lachung towns. The remaining travellers will be relocated today, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted favorable weather conditions.

In Chungthang, one of the areas most severely impacted by the flash flood, Army and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) personnel have diligently cleared sludge from roads within the town. A log bridge has been constructed with the assistance of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and local residents. On Tuesday, more than 500 people, including tourists, safely crossed the log bridge, with army engineers actively reinforcing it.

Previously, a footpath was opened to reach the isolated village of Rabom, where 245 individuals had been stranded, including 129 employees of the Kundan Hydel power project.

Mobile phone connectivity has been restored in Lachung, and similar restoration efforts are underway in Lachen Valley.

In a coordinated response, the IAF helicopters transported nearly 58 tonnes of relief materials to North Sikkim, benefiting local residents and the Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel stationed in the region.

One week after the flash flood, which occurred in the early hours of October 4, 76 people remain missing. Thus far, 36 bodies have been discovered in Sikkim, while 41 have been located at various sites along the river in neighboring West Bengal, according to officials in both states.

The flash flood was triggered by a cloudburst in the Lhonak glacial lake, leading to the release of a substantial volume of water, which, in turn, caused a flash flood in the Teesta River. This flooding affected towns and villages and had repercussions for approximately 87,300 people.

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