14 dead, 23 army men among 102 missing in Sikkim flash floods

Gangtok/New Delhi:  The death toll rose to 14 and at least 102 persons were missing including 23 army men who were missing in the Pakyong district, after yesterday’s flash floods in Teesta River and the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in portions of Lhonak Lake in Sikkim’s Mangan district.

The Eastern Command of the Indian Army today said it has set up 24×7 Help Desks for all affected persons in the State. Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang today convened a  high-level meeting at Mintokgang to assess the current situation and evaluate the extent of damages.

An Eastern Command of Indian Military spokesperson said some Army establishments along the valley were also affected in the flash floods, while several bridges were swept away and at least 41 vehicles were also submerged.

“I have issued instructions to all pertinent officials, departments, District Magistrates (DMs), and Superintendents of Police (SPs) to maintain a state of heightened vigilance and attend to the requirements of the affected public with utmost diligence. In order to ensure accurate and timely information dissemination, the Chief Secretary (CS) will provide daily updates to the press,” the Chief Minister stated today.

President Droupadi Murmu today called up the Chief Minister to inquire about the situation. Yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up the Sikkim CM and took stock of the situation in the wake of the natural calamity in parts of the state. He assured all possible support in addressing the challenge.

Following a sudden rise in the water level and flooding of the Teesta River, Tamang also visited the affected areas in the Singtam district to take stock of the situation there yesterday morning. In New Delhi, the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) under Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba reviewed the situation and was joined by the Chief Secretary of Sikkim through video conferencing.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deployed three teams and additional teams were on standby in Guwahati and Patna. Army and Air Force were also being deployed to assist the state in rescue and restoration efforts.

Gauba emphasised the evacuation of people stranded in the tunnel of Chungthang Dam and tourists on a priority basis. He further observed that additional teams of NDRF should be deployed and connectivity of road, telecom and power must be restored in the shortest possible time.

The Glacial Lake Outburst Flood in Mangan district caused the rise of water levels with very high velocities downstream along the Teesta River Basin in the early hours of October 4, 2023, causing “severe damage” in Mangan, Gangtok, Pakyong, and Namchi Districts, the Sikkim Disaster Management Authority stated.

The lake outburst in portions of Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim caused a rise in water levels with very high velocities near about 15m/sec, crossed the CWC Melli site measuring 227 metres, near about 3m above Danger Level, at 6 a.m. yesterday.

According to the Central Water Commission (CWC), the flood occurred at midnight on October 3, 2023.  Around 1 a.m. on October 4, 2023, the “major” flooding of the Teesta River was reported from Chunthang and by 2:30 p.m., the flood had reached the low-lying areas of the remaining districts, causing serious destruction to public properties and public infrastructure. The communication network under Mangan District surrounding Chungthang and its periphery was affected.

As per the report received from the SSDMA, the following damages have been reported from the districts:

(i) Mangan District: Chungthang was cut off due to the Toong Bridge collapse. Phidang Bridge also collapsed. Four pucca houses at Phidang were washed away. Two houses at Dikchu were washed away. Houses along the river line were in danger, and two General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) labourers were reported missing at Sangkhalang, and one person missing was from Phidang. The GREF Crusher Plant and Old Police Barrack were washed away at Toong, and four people were reported missing. Forest Guest House and two units of government quarters at Sangkhalang were swept away.

(ii) Gangtok: Rescue was underway.

(iii) Namchi district: LD Kazi Bridge was washed away. Indreni Bridge was washed away. A relief camp was set up at Namphing Sai Mandir. At least 500 people were kept in the relief camps, and permanent relief was set at Pranami Mandir.

(iv) Pakyong district: 23 army personnel were missing and one person was rescued at Bardang.