• Source:JND
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Sikkim Flash Floods: The death toll in the state rose to 19, while 103 people are missing as the natural calamity hit Sikkim on Wednesday. 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 the Teesta River that flooded at least four districts, including Mangan, Gangtok, Pakyong, and Namchi.

The Sikkim government on Friday issued another glacial lake burst alert, asking tourists to delay their travel plans due to the risk of explosives and ammunition washed away from an army camp in the recent flash floods. Shako Cho lake near Lachen is at risk of bursting, and authorities have begun evacuating residents from the surrounding area

The incident has raised concerns as the livelihood of locals has massively been disrupted. The flash floods severely affected the business of hundreds of shops situated along the NH-10 near Rambi in Kalimpong district which connects Sikkim and Kalimpong district with the rest of the country.

"The situation is bad right now. Our livelihood is dependent upon the tourists that come here but right now, there are no tourists. But more than our livelihood we are worried for those who are trapped because of flashfloods, we hope they're rescued," said Swapna Gupta, a shopkeeper.

Meanwhile, Sikkim Chief Secretary Vijay Bhushan Pathak informed about the situation and said that as many as 3000 people are stranded in Lachen and Lachung.

"700-800 drivers are stuck there. 3150 people who have gone there on motorcycles are also stuck there...we will evacuate all with helicopters of the Army and Air Force. Army made those who are stuck in Lachen and Lachung speak to their families through voice over internet," he said.

Meanwhile, Troops of the TriShakti Corps Indian Army have been able to take account of 1471 tourists present in the areas of Lachen/Chatten, Lachung and Chungthang. With the weather improving on 6 October, there may be a window of opportunity for evacuation of stranded tourists by  Helicopters. The same is being planned jointly by the State Government, Indian Army and Indian Air Force, said PRO Defence, Guwahati.

Tseten Lepcha (60), who lives in Chungthang with his family, was out of town when the incident took place, however, his son, daughter-in-law and 8-month-old granddaughter were in the village.

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"The last time my family communicated with them before they left at midnight with the family to a cousin's house at Bop Village. This disaster is of unprecedented scale and worst case scenario for the area and people affected. We are shocked and helpless at the moment and very sad with the trauma and sense of loss experienced by all those who lost their houses and everything they had in it," Lepcha told ANI on the telephone from Gangtok.

(With ANI inputs)