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Sikkim is grappling with a catastrophic flash flood situation, resulting in 53 casualties, including seven soldiers. In addition, 27 bodies were recovered from the Teesta riverbed in West Bengal. Over 140 individuals are missing, and thousands have been displaced. Severe damage has been inflicted on 1,173 houses, while 2,413 people have been rescued. Communication to North Sikkim has been disrupted due to submerged or washed-out bridges.
Chief Minister Tamang has pointed out that road connectivity between districts has been severed, and bridges have been swept away. Communication in North Sikkim has been severely impacted, with the Chief Minister attributing the damage to “inferior construction” by previous state governments.
Sikkim’s Chief Minister, Prem Singh Tamang, is leading efforts to restore road connectivity, focusing on reopening roads to Chungthang and constructing a road from Naga to Toong. Compensation of ₹4 lakh has been announced for the families of the deceased. Weather challenges have hampered aerial rescue operations, affecting over 3,000 stranded tourists.
Flash floods, triggered by a cloudburst and a glacial lake burst, have severely impacted the state, damaging homes, bridges, and infrastructure. The Indian Air Force’s rescue efforts have been hindered by adverse weather conditions. Home Minister Amit Shah has approved ₹44.8 crore in advance from the State Disaster Response Fund.
The Home Ministry has also formed an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) to visit the affected areas and assess the extent of the damage.
