Late on Tuesday night, flash floods were reported in north Sikkim, triggered by a glacial lake outburst. At least 30 people are reported missing as a result of the disaster. The outburst occurred in the Lhonak lake in north Sikkim, leading to severe flooding in the region.
The exact number of missing individuals is still being confirmed, but at least seven people have been officially reported missing. In addition to civilians, 23 army personnel are also missing. Some army establishments in the Lachen valley were affected, with vehicles submerged under slush.
The affected districts in Sikkim include Mangan (north Sikkim), Pakyong, and Gangtok (east Sikkim). Mangan was the hardest hit. Authorities are concerned that the water level in the River Teesta will cross the danger mark, and a flood alert has been issued for some districts in north Bengal and Bangladesh.
The flash floods were not caused by a cloud burst, as the maximum rainfall received in north Sikkim in the last 24 hours was 39 mm, well below the threshold for a cloud burst.
The disaster has also resulted in the destruction of at least six bridges between Chungthang and Rangpo, and National Highway 10, a critical lifeline for Sikkim, has been severely affected, making many areas inaccessible.
Meanwhile, heavy rainfall has been affecting parts of West Bengal due to a low-pressure system over Jharkhand and an associated cyclonic circulation. Several districts in West Bengal, including Birbhum, Bankura, West Burdwan, East Burdwan, West Midnapore, Hooghly, and Howrah, are experiencing a flood-like situation. Over 1,000 people have been evacuated in Bankura district, and relief measures are in place to assist those affected.
The flash floods in Sikkim and heavy rainfall in West Bengal are ongoing, and authorities are closely monitoring the situation to provide assistance and ensure public safety.
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