A cloudburst on Wednesday caused a rapid and heavy flood in the northeastern region due to an overflow of the Teesta River, which damaged parts of NH-10, this road links the state with the rest of the nation. The river’s water level has surged drastically – the floods have pushed the water levels up to 15-20 feet high downstream.
The unfortunate incident has had an impact on 22,034 people in the affected areas. Several government organizations and research institutions have issued warnings in the last two decades regarding probable glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in Sikkim, which may inflict significant devastation on life and property. As of the latest update from the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA), a total of 2,011 individuals have been successfully rescued.
More than 14 people are dead, 102 people r missing including 22 soldiers & 3000 tourists are stranded in Sikkim flash flood.
Please keep Simkim on your prayer#sikkimflashflood #sikkimfloods
— Nahýan (@Media_Tak1) October 5, 2023
As conflicts relating to the cause of the floods arise, scientists are currently investigating if the massive earthquake that shook Nepal was responsible for the south Lhonak Lake outburst, which caused a flash flood in the Teesta river basin, Sikkim
In response to the crisis, the State government has taken action by establishing 26 relief camps across the four affected districts in the region, as reported by PTI. Specifically, there are currently eight relief camps in the Gangtok district, accommodating a total of 1,025 individuals. Information regarding the number of people sheltered in the remaining 18 relief camps is not immediately available.
The lake outburst also caused the Chungthang Dam, the state’s largest hydroelectric project, to fail. Casualties include over 102 people and 14 were killed in the cloudburst.
Citizens residing along the Teesta River’s banks have also been warned to leave their houses for their safety. An advisory bulletin from the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority recommended everyone to keep vigilant and avoid travel along the Teesta river regions.