Six killed, 1,500 tourists stranded as landslides, rain wreak havoc in Sikkim

North Sikkim has been completely isolated due to the landslides on National Highway 10, the lifeline connecting the region to Kalimpong in West Bengal.

A newly-constructed bailey bridge at Sangkalang collapsed snapping the link between Mangan with Dzongu and Chungthang.

The towns of Dzongu, Chungthang, Lachen, and Lachung in Mangan district known for popular tourist spots like Gurudongmar Lake and Yunthang Valley have now been cut off from the rest of the country.

Mangan District Magistrate Hem Kumar Chettri convened an urgent meeting with all the heads of various departments to mitigate the situation. “Three persons each died in Pakshep and Ambhithang villages,” he said said.

A number of houses have been damaged in Geythang, roads have been blocked at Nampathang near Pentok, a police outpost in Bringbong was shifted to a different location, officials informed. Meanwhile, a relief camp has been set up at Pakshep for the displaced people, Chettri said.

#WATCH | Due to heavy rain in Sikkim, many houses situated beside the River Teesta near Teesta Bazar of Kalimpong district, West Bengal, have been submerged.

Restoration work has been started. pic.twitter.com/VNbdHcy9l3

— ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2024

Mobile network services were affected in North Sikkim even as a request was made by the district administration to send an SDRF team with ration to Mangan, the officials said.

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has directed the North district administration, the police and officials of other departments to ensure a swift response to the devastation. “Efforts are underway to provide every possible support to the victims and affected families, including recovery assistance, temporary settlement, and the provision of basic needs. The state government stands firmly with the victims of this unfortunate incident, pledging the utmost support to the bereaved families and all those affected and displaced by the landslides,” Tamang said from Arunachal Pradesh.

The state government is yet to determine the extent of the damage and the number of casualties.

In October last year, a glacial lake outburst flood in North Sikkim had claimed over 100 lives. While water from the Teesta had flooded the roads at Melli Bazar, many vehicles parked at Teesta Bazar were inundated.

No respite from heat for South Bengal

According to the IMD, widespread, moderate rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds, is likely over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal during the next seven days. Heavy to very heavy rains are also forecast over the region in next five days.

On Thursday, the IMD said that heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy rainfall at one or two places was likely to continue over the northern districts of North Bengal. Heat wave-like conditions were also likely to prevail in some districts of South Bengal. “Rain/thunderstorm and associated weather activity is likely to occur at one or two places over South Bengal,” it said.

While the southern districts of West Bengal have received no respite from the scorching heat, heavy to very heavy rains are on the cards for North Bengal. A red alert for heavy rain has even been issued in Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts for Thursday and Friday, the Alipore Met department said.

With the temperature in some South Bengal districts crossing the 45 degrees Celsius mark, the meteorological department said no significant changes are likely in the next three to four days. An orange alert for a heat wave has been issued in Purulia, West Medinipur and West Burdwan districts on Thursday. The hot weather is likely to continue in the southern districts till Sunday, officials said.

There is a possibility of light rain and wind in some districts of South Bengal but the weather office said that even if there is some relief, it will not last long. “Monsoon is heading towards the southern parts of the state which will cause rain consistently till Monday morning,” a weather eport said. Meanwhile, Kolkata is set to witness consistent rain, along with winds reaching 40-50 kmph, from Friday to Monday.

— WITH PTI