Sikkim Ravaged By Flash Floods After Cloudburst, National Highway Suffers Severe Damage

Connectivity to the Indian state of Sikkim, including its capital, Gangtok, has been severely affected as an overflowing Teesta River washed away parts of National Highway 10 (NH-10), which serves as a crucial lifeline connecting the state to the rest of the country. This unfortunate incident occurred on Wednesday, following a cloudburst that triggered a flash flood in the northeastern state.

The cloudburst originated over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim, leading to the rapid swelling of the Teesta River, which flows through Sikkim and West Bengal. This sudden rise in water levels had devastating consequences for the region.

Tragically, a massive search operation is underway to locate 23 Army personnel who were reported missing in the aftermath of the flash floods, highlighting the gravity of the situation.

Local videos captured by residents depict a large section of the road being washed away by the raging river waters. According to the Central Water Commission, the Teesta River was flowing below the warning level at 6 am on Wednesday but was expected to surpass the warning level within six hours.

The flash flood surged through the Teesta River, sweeping away the Indreni Bridge in Singtam town, located approximately 30 kilometers from Gangtok. Additionally, a connecting bridge in the Balutar hamlet was also swept away around 4 am. The Gangtok District Administration reported that many homes near the river basin in Singtam had to be evacuated to temporary relief camps in the town.

Residents from Chungthang town, situated about 90 kilometers north of Gangtok and near the Teesta Dam, were also in need of rescue. The defense ministry confirmed that two bridges were damaged in Dikchu and Toong towns, which connect Singtam to Chungthang in North Sikkim. The Border Road Organisation (BRO) has been actively involved in the rescue efforts in these areas.

Earlier, a flash flood alert was issued for the north and east districts of Sikkim, as parts of the state had experienced heavy rainfall since the previous night. The alert specifically mentioned low-lying areas such as Gazoldoba, Domohani, Mekhaliganj, and Ghish as potentially affected regions.

Sikkim’s Chief Minister, Prem Singh Tamang, who visited Singtam, confirmed that although no injuries were reported, there had been significant damage to public property, and some individuals were missing. Relief operations were swiftly initiated to address the situation.

In light of the ongoing crisis, those residing along the banks of the Teesta River have been strongly advised to evacuate their homes to ensure their safety. An alert message from the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority urged all residents to stay vigilant and avoid travel along the Teesta river basin.

The weather office also issued a warning, stating that “light to moderate rainfall is expected during the next 3-4 days over Sikkim,” indicating the possibility of further challenges ahead as the region copes with this natural disaster.