Sikkim Flash Floods Highlights: 14 killed, 104 missing; rescue operations underway

On Thursday morning, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge tweeted that floods in Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim should be declared as "national disasters". 

There is no official or defined category of “national disasters”. Disasters of this nature come under the 2005 Disaster Management Act, which defines a “disaster” as “a catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in any area, arising from natural or man made causes, or by accident or negligence which results in substantial loss of life or human suffering or damage to, and destruction of, property, or damage to, or degradation of, environment, and is of such a nature or magnitude as to be beyond the coping capacity of the community of the affected area”.

But why do leaders insist on the 'national disaster' tag, and what does that have to do with funding? Read this explainer.

Of the 104 missing people in Sikkim following the flash floods, 22 are Army personnel. On Wednesday, one of the missing soldiers was rescued.

Over half the area of South Lhonak Lake in Sikkim was drained out after a cloudburst that triggered flash floods on Wednesday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has observed with satellite imagery. 

“It is observed that Lake is Burst and about 105 hectares area has been drained out (28 September 2023 image versus 04 October 2023) which might have created a flash flood downstream,” an ISRO statement said. Read more

The South Lhonak Lake — a glacial lake situated in the state’s northwest at 17,000 ft — burst due to incessant rains, leading to the release of water in downstream areas.

Glacial lakes, like the South Lhonak Lake, are large bodies of water that sit in front of, on top of, or beneath a melting glacier. As they grow larger, they become more dangerous because glacial lakes are mostly dammed by unstable ice or sediment composed of loose rock and debris. In case the boundary around them breaks, huge amounts of water rush down the side of the mountains, which could cause flooding in the downstream areas. This is called glacial lake outburst floods or GLOF.

Here is everything you need to know.

At least 14 people were killed and over 100 are still missing in the Sikkim flash floods Wednesday morning, according to officials. 

As per government sources, people are reportedly missing from Chungthang in Mangan district; Dikchu, Singtam in Gangtok district and Rangpo in Pakyong district. Over 20,000 people have been affected by the natural disaster. More than 3,000 tourists are feared to be stranded in different parts of the state. About 12-14 workers working in the Teesta Stage 3 dam in Chungthang are still stranded in the tunnels of the dam.

Of the 104 missing people, 22 are Army personnel. Read more

Visuals from Sikkim's Mangan district showed damaged houses and people picking up the debris after the flash floods. Over a 100 people were taken to relief camps in a nearby government school in Dikchu of Mangan District, ANI reported.

Over 20,000 people have been affected by the natural disaster. More than 3,000 tourists are feared to be stranded in different parts of the state. About 12-14 workers working in the Teesta Stage 3 dam in Chungthang are still stranded in the tunnels of the dam.









(PTI images)

South Lhonak Lake — a glacial lake situated in the state’s northwest at 17,000 ft — burst due to incessant rains on early Wednesday morning. Satellite imagery shared by ISRO shows drastic reduction in the lake area following the incident. 

"It is observed that Lake is Burst and about 105 Hectares area has been drained out (28 September 2023 image versus 04 October 2023) which might have created a flash flood downstream," ISRO said in a statement.

The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority in its latest bulletin stated that 14 people have died, while 102 were missing after flash floods in the state. 

As many as 2,011 people have been rescued since disaster struck early Wednesday, PTI reported. The state government has set up 26 relief camps in the four affected districts. A total of 1,025 people are taking shelter in the eight relief camps in Gangtok district, while the number of inmates at the 18 other relief camps was not available immediately, the bulletin said.

Taking note of the flash floods in Sikkim, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said, "The Union Govt must recalibrate its strategy in dealing with ecologically fragile Himalayan states and must declare such tragedies, like Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh, as national disasters so that these states get adequate funds to rebuild themselves in a more sustainable manner."

Kharge tweeted on Thursday, "The Union Govt must do everything possible to rescue people in safer locations and find the missing persons, whose count is reportedly steadily increasing.  A lot of damage has been done to the infrastructure, and the Union and the State Govt must work together in the medium and long term to rebuild this beautiful state. Congress party and its workers shall help in all possible ways in this humanitarian crisis."

A glacial lake situated in the state’s northwest at 17,000 ft — burst due to incessant rains, leading to the release of water in downstream areas. This caused the rise of water levels in Teesta river that flooded at least four districts, including Mangan, Gangtok, Pakyong and Namchi on Wednesday (October 4), according to Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA).

The flood in Sikkim that started around 1.30 am was made worse by the release of water from Chungthang dam, officials told PTI.

The Central Water Commission (CWC), in a post on X, suggested that the lake burst could have been caused by the earthquake in Nepal on Tuesday, but did not elaborate.

At least 10 people have been killed and 82 are missing following flash floods triggered by a lake outburst in north Sikkim, PTI reported. Among those missing are 22 Army soldiers — one was rescued on Wednesday night. 

One soldier out of the 23 missing was rescued on Wednesday evening, leaving 22 armymen still missing. His condition is stable and is under medical care.

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), under Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, met today and reviewed the situation in Sikkim. 

At least eight people died and 49 others, including 23 army personnel, went missing on Wednesday after a cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in north Sikkim triggered a flash flood in the Teesta River basin, officials said.

Three of the dead were washed up in north Bengal, they said. The flood in Sikkim that started around 1.30 am was made worse by the release of water from Chungthang dam, the officials said.

“Five bodies have been recovered from Golitar and Singtam region,” Gangtok Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Mahendra Chettri said. Another official said besides the 23 army personnel, 26 civilians were also missing, while 45 people rescued, including 18 injured. (PTI)

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has pressed in three teams for rescue-and-relief operations following a cloudburst over the Lhonak lake in north Sikkim that resulted in a flash flood in the Teesta river basin, officials said on Wednesday.

A spokesperson of the federal contingency force said in Delhi that they have deployed one team at Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, and two teams in the adjoining state of West Bengal for the task.

The force has so far rescued seven people. The NDRF teams are carrying ropes, ladders and other necessary equipment, the spokesperson said. (PTI)

All schools located in Mangan, Gangtok, Pakyong and Namchi districts will remain closed till October 8, the education department said in a circular. (PTI)

Five persons died and 23 army personnel went missing on Wednesday after a cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in north Sikkim triggered a flash flood in the Teesta River basin, officials said.

The flood that started around 1.30 am was made worse by the release of water from Chungthang dam, they said.

“Five bodies have been recovered from Golitar and Singtam region, while three persons were rescued from Golitar,” Gangtok Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Mahendra Chettri said.

“Twenty-three Army personnel have been reported missing and 41 vehicles submerged under the slush,” he said.

Several towns, including Dikchu, Singtam and Rangpo located in the Teesta basin, have also been flooded with the upsurge in the river. (PTI)

'Spoke to Sikkim CM Shri Prem Singh Tamang and took stock of the situation in the wake of the unfortunate natural calamity in parts of the state. Assured all possible support in addressing the challenge. I pray for the safety and well-being of all those affected,' PM Modi wrote on Twitter.

e water level in the Teesta river was below the danger mark at 1 pm on Wednesday and there is no flood situation around it, according to Central Water Commission data. According to the CWC, the water level at three stations – Melli, Singtam and Rohtak – on the Teesta is below the danger mark but hovering near it, news agency PTI reported. 

"It has a rising trend. Water level is below warning Level. So, there is no flood situation around Melli," the CWC said on its app. The current water level at station Singtam is 351.31 metres while the danger level is at 355.09 metres. "Water Level is below warning level. So, there is no flood situation around Singtam. Currently, no flood forecast is available for this location," the CWC said.

The death toll in the North Sikkim flash floods has risen to 3, according to PTI. "Three bodies have been recovered from Singtam during rescue and relief efforts," a Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority official told the news agency.

All schools located in the four districts of Sikkim will remain closed till October 8, the education department said in a circular. Defence officials said establishments along the Lachen valley have been affected and efforts are on to confirm details.

A report compiled by the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) gives us a picture of the damage caused by the flash floods in north Sikkim so far. According to the report, the worst-effection districts are Mangan, Gangtok, Pakyong, and Namchi districts.Here's what the report has to say:

(i) Mangan District: Chungthang cut off due to the Toong Bridge collapse. Phidang Bridge collapsed. Four pucca houses at Phidang were washed away. Two houses at Dikchu were washed away. Houses along the river line are in danger, and two GREF labourers are reported missing at Sangkhalang, as per information received from GREF sources and one person missing from Phidang.

The GREF Crusher Plant and Old Police Barrack have been washed away at Toong, and four people have been reported missing. Forest Guest House and two units of government quarters at Sangkhalang has been swept away.

(ii) Gangtok: Four injured have been taken to Singtam Hospital. 25 people have been rescued by SDRF, more rescue is underway. (iii) Namchi district: LD Kazi Bridge washed away. Indreni Bridge washed away. A relief camp was set up at Namphing Sai Mandir. As of now, 500 people have been kept in the relief camps, and permanent relief has been set up at Pranami Mandir.
(iv) Pakyong district: Two minor injuries, one dead in West Bengal, and one person is under observation at Rangpo PHC. 23 army personnel have been missing and one person has been rescued at Bardang.

Expressing her concern about the situation in Sikkim, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called on people in Northern Bengal to remain caution amid predictions of heavy showers in the area. "All steps have been taken to evacuate people in the districts of Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri to safer places. Senior ministers of the state and senior IAS officers have been rushed to North Bengal to oversee rescue and relief operations. Close vigil is being kept to ensure no loss of life in this grave calamity," she wrote on X. 

There are some startling visuals surfacing online of the situation in North Sikkim. One video shows an entire highway being washed away. 

According to the India Meteorological Department's latest update, a low-pressure area moving eastward across multiple states is responsible for the recent cloud burst in Sikkim. Apart from the northeastern state, several other states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal are also likely to receive a fair bit of rain over the next few days. As for Sikkim, the IMD predicts light to moderate rainfall over the next 3-4 days.

According to officials, the flash floods are believed to have started at 1:30 am on Wednesday. Due to sudden cloud burst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim, a flash flood occurred in the Teesta River in Lachen valley. 

The release of water from the Chungthang dam is believed to have led to a sudden increase in water levels up to 15-20 feet high downstream.

Check out these photos shared by the Indian Army:

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang visisted parts of North Sikkim to assess the damage this morning. "We are all aware of the recent natural calamity that has struck our state. Emergency services have been mobilized to the affected areas, and I personally visited Singtam to assess the damages and engage with the local community," he tweeted. 

Good morning and welcome to our live blog! 
Follow this space for the latest updates from North Sikkim, where a flash flood that started early this morning has left many regions completed inundated. The focus at the moment is on the 23 Army personnel who have been reported missing. Rescue operations are underway and Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has taken stock of the situation.