GANGTOK, June 13: The monsoon season has wreaked havoc in Sikkim with overnight heavy rain in Mangan District resulting in one person dead and over five persons are still missing.
The heavy downpour in Sikkim is likely to continue till June 16, according to the Indian Meteorological Department in Gangtok. IMD informed, “Due to presence of a cyclonic circulation over East Uttar Pradesh and neighbourhood at 0.9 km above mean sea level and an east-west oriented upper air trough from this cyclonic circulation over East Uttar Pradesh to Nagaland across Bihar, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and south Assam at 0.9 km above mean sea level and strong moisture incursion from Bay of Bengal, light to moderate rainfall activities with a few intense spells of heavy falls very likely to affect the districts of Sikkim from June 12 to 16”.
On the scale of damages, Ambithang near Yangang has reported three individuals missing. Pakshep near Mangan reported one individual dead, two missing. In Geythang, Dzongu three houses were damaged. In Nampathang near Mangan town, several houses have been damaged with connecting roads also blocked.
In Bringbong under Dzongu constituency a police outpost was under threat from a nearby landslide, with staff needing evacuation.
Sankalang, also in Dzongu reported infrastructure damages including the much-needed bridge with its foundation being damaged by raging Teesta River. Authorities have declared potential collapse of the bridge foundation to be imminent. Most of the mobile networks in North Sikkim are non-functional currently.
The Sikkim Police deployed in Mangan District have placed a request for one platoon of Sikkim Armed Police and State Disaster Relief Force team to Mangan urgently for emergency response measures.
The cascading effect of the heavy downpour in North Sikkim, has swelled the Teesta River to a dangerously high level. The river is now posing threat to low lying areas of Singtam town as well as Melli town across the Sikkim border in North Bengal. The Melli public ground which stands precariously close to the Teesta River has submerged. Reports of river level increase and houses being damaged have been confirmed from Teesta Bazaar along the NH 10 in North Bengal. NH 10 has also been deemed unfit for travel today, owing to rising water level of Teesta.
Meanwhile, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Golay took to his social media to address the rain havoc. He stated, “I am deeply shocked and saddened to know about the massive and devastating landslide that struck the areas around Mangan, and various locations in North Sikkim, following incessant rainfall since yesterday. This devastating incident has resulted in the tragic loss of lives, the sweeping away of houses, and the displacement of families”.
The CM further wrote, “I have communicated with the North district administration, police department, and concerned departments to ensure a swift and comprehensive response. They are committed to providing every possible support to the victims and affected families for their recovery, temporary settlement, and restoration, as well as basic needs”.
Golay also assured, “the government stands firmly with the victims of this unfortunate incident and will render the utmost support to the bereaved families and all those affected and displaced by the landslide”.
