A day after a flash flood wreaked havoc in Sikkim, there is more clarity about the damage done to human and property.
At least 14 persons died, and 102 persons – 22 of them Army personnel – were missing in North Sikkim after the flash flood in the Teesta. Rescue efforts and search operations are still underway.
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What was the extent of the damage?
The flash flood that was brought about by a sudden cloud burst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim caused massive devastation in the state.
Apart from the human toll, there was damage to several bridges and roads. Internet and phone lines were also disconnected.
Sikkim’s capital, Gangtok, was completely cut off from Bengal and the rest of the country. Several towns, including Dikchu, Singtam, and Rangpo, located in the Teesta basin, have been flooded.
Over 3,000 tourists are reported to be stranded in different regions of Sikkim.
Some 166 people, including an armyman, have been rescued so far.
Why did the flash flood in Sikkim occur?
ISRO satellite images show that the flash flood resulted from a sudden cloud burst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim.
The National Remote Sensing Centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) conducted a satellite-based analysis of the South Lhonak lake’s sudden outburst in Sikkim.
This showed temporal satellite images of the area both before and after the event, i.e. on September 28, 2023 and October 4, 2023.
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The assessment revealed a rupture of the lake, causing the drainage of approximately 105 hectares of area, which resulted in a flash flood downstream.
The space agency said it will continue monitoring the lake further using satellite data.
Apart from the cloud burst, release of water from Chungthang Dam exacerbated the situation, and the water level rose to as much as 15-20 feet high downstream.
What was the response of the government?
The Sikkim government has declared the natural calamity as a disaster.
The Indian Army has started three helplines for families of missing people in Sikkim, including its own soldiers. The numbers are:
Army Helpline No for North Sikkim – 8750887741 Army Helpline for East Sikkim – 8756991895 Army Helpline for missing soldiers – 7588302011
Following the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang to take stock of the situation in the state and assured him of all possible support in addressing the challenge.
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