Gangtok, July 31: With Sikkim witnessing heavy tourist inflow this season, authorities have issued a high alert after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned...
As the monsoon tightens its grip on North Sikkim, over 1,276 domestic tourists and two foreign nationals remain stranded in the picturesque yet now perilous valleys of Lachen and Lachung in Mangan District.
Heavy monsoon rains have unleashed a series of devastating landslides across Sikkim, leaving approximately 1,500 tourists stranded and cutting off crucial road links in North Sikkim.
The Teesta River Valley, which suffered a catastrophic glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) 16 months ago claiming 55 lives, remains highly vulnerable to a similar disaster, according to a study by an international team of scientists.
Sikkim Chief Minister Minister Prem Singh Tamang has requested the Ministry of Jal Shakti to constitute a team of experts to study Teesta river's morphology, assess the damage, and provide guidance, resources, and expert recommendations.
On the scale of damages, Ambithang near Yangang has reported three individuals missing. Pakshep near Mangan reported one individual dead, two missing. In Geythang, Dzongu three houses were damaged. In Nampathang near Mangan town, several houses have been damaged with connecting roads also blocked.
At least 60 people have died and 80 remain missing in the devastating flash floods in Sikkim, which was triggered by glacial burst on the South Lhonak lake on Wednesday morning.
