Sikkim floods: 2 dead, state on high alert after Teesta river overflows

An alarming situation has been reported from Sikkim after the water level of the Teesta river abnormally rose, submerging properties and leaving people homeless after a cloudburst hit the northern part of Mangan District in the state on Tuesday.

The residents of the Dikchu, Singtam, and Rangpo areas were promptly alerted and successfully evacuated to safer areas.

Due to the flooding, the old and new bridges at Phidang, which serve as the entrance to Lower Dzongu, have been washed away.

Additionally, the lower section of Adhaarsh Goan in Singtam was reported to be submerged by the floodwaters.

The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) has advised people to stay alert and avoid traveling along the river basin.

SP (Mangan District), Sonam Detchu, confirmed the high alert to Northeast Live and stated that all the police stations in the low-line areas have been put on alert, and the residents residing along the banks of the Teesta river have been urgently advised to evacuate to higher ground for their safety.

“We have no exact reason for the sudden surge in water levels, but the river has surged significantly,” Detchu said, emphasizing the need for immediate action.

The situation is also alarming in Chungthang in North Sikkim, as the town has been completely cut off from the rest of the region after the vital bridge connecting Mangan and Chungthang was snapped due to the rising water levels of the Teesta River.

There’s also a threat of the South Lhonak lake in North Sikkim overflowing, triggering a massive flash flood in the areas surrounding the lake.

Meanwhile, the residents of Sangkalang, Bringbong, Phidang, Dikchu, Makha, Singtam, Rangpo and Melli have been put on high alert.

The flooding also washed away the National Highway 10 at Melli.

So far, two casualties have been reported in Sikkim.

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has reached Singtam to examine the situation.

Also Read: Sikkim man washed away by strong currents of Badarey Khola (stream); search underway