Flash flood in north Sikkim following heavy rain, one washed away in west

PRAKASH ADHIKARI, EOI, GANGTOK, JUNE 16, 2023 : Heavy rainfall since the past few days has unleashed its fury in the Himalayan state of Sikkim. The north Sikkim district of Mangan was hit by a flash flood, submerging National Highway 10 at Pegong andleaving nearly 2,000 tourists stranded.

A 90-year old man lost his life after being swept away by the turbulent waters of river Rimbi in west Sikkim. After relentless search and rescue operations, the body of Ash Lall Limboo was retrieved at Sikkip under the jurisdiction of the Namchi police station. The incident occurred when waters of the gushing river Rimbi washed away a cow shed along with cattle as well as Ash Lall Limboo. 

About 2000 tourists were left stranded at Lachung and Lachen in north Sikkim due to flash flood and landslides occurring at Pegong near Chungthang on Thursday night following incessant. Road connectivity between the famous tourist spots of Lachung, Lachen, Yumthang valley and rest of the state were totally cut off. The tourists were returning from Lachung and Lachen. 

Issuing of permits to tourists for north Sikkim has been stopped until further notice owing to the prevailing weather conditions. Landslides triggered by rainfall have been reported from different places in the state, disrupting road connectivity. Most of the landslides reportedly have occurred in north Sikkim. Portions of the the North Sikkim Highway, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Gangtok-Mangan road, Mangan-Singtam Road, Singtam -Geyzing Road and Pakyong-Rolep Road have been blocked by landslide. 

The water level of the mighty Teesta is rising. Other rivers are also in spate, including Rimbi in west Sikkim, Rolep and Rangpo in Pakyong district, Ranipol in Gangtok district and Rangeet in Namchi district. 

The Pakyong District Disaster Management Authority inspected affected areas adjoining Latuk-Rongli river in the Lossing, Rorathang and Rongli areas. Rangpo Khola has reached the highest flood level following the downpour on Friday morning. This had a significant impact on the steel bridge abutments of the road from Latuk Thek to Rolep over Rangpo Khola. 

Both the retaining walls and the freshly constructed road formation were totally washed away. Five families from Lathuk-Thek and 10 families from Rolep were evacuated to safer places. Cattle sheds were also shifted to safer locations. Five buildings at Rolep were partially destroyed. 

The cement go down of a NHIDCL contractor, and a big crane and a JCB of NHIDCL were washed away. Immediate relief was provided to the affected people by Sub-Divisional Magistrate Pakong Tshering Norgyal Theeng and his team. (With IPR)