Rain havoc in Sikkim: 90-year old swept away, landslides leave 2000 tourists stranded

Traffic has been disrupted in portions of North Sikkim highway, JN Marg, Gangtok-Mangan road, Mangan-Singtam road, Singtam -Geyzing road, Pakyong-Rolep road

Heavy rainfall since the past few days has unleashed its fury in the Himalayan state of Sikkim.

The state registered its first casualty when a 90-year old man lost his life after being swept away by the turbulent waters of the Rimbi river in West Sikkim. Over 2000 tourists were stranded in different parts of the state due to rain triggered landslides that had blocked roads and highways.

The treacherously strong currents of Rimbi river washed away the cow shed along with cattle and Ash Lall Limboo. After relentless search operations, the body of the deceased, Ash Lall Limboo, was recovered from Sikkip under the jurisdiction of the Namchi police station.

The water levels of most of the rivers of Sikkim including the Teesta is rising. The other rivers which are in spate include:
Rimbi river in West Sikkim district
Rolep river in Pakyong district
Rangpo river in Pakyong district
Ranipol river in Gangtok district
Rangeet river in Namchi district

Rainfall triggered landslides have been reported from different places in the state which has adversely affected road connectivity. Most of the landslides reportedly have occurred in North Sikkim.

Traffic has been disrupted in portions of the North Sikkim highway, JN Marg, Gangtok-Mangan road, Mangan-Singtam road, Singtam -Geyzing road, Pakyong-Rolep road.

About 2000 tourists were stranded at North Sikkim’s Lachung and Lachen due to flash flood. Landslides occurred at Pegong near Chungthang last night. Road connectivity between the famous tourist spots Lachung, Lachen, Yumthang valley and rest of the state were totally cut off as flash flood and landslide occurred at Pegong due to incessant rainfall.

The tourists were returning back from Lachung and Lachen.

Issuing permits to tourists for North Sikkim has been stopped until further notice owing to the prevailing weather conditions.

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