Sikkim flash floods updates | One soldier, among missing 23, rescued

ISRO said it conducted a satellite-based study on the outburst of the South Lhonak Lake, Sikkim by obtaining satellite images over the lake.

It said, “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 will continue monitoring the lake further using the satellite data.”

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) says a combination of excess rainfall and a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) appear to be the primary reason behind the flash flood at South Lhonak lake in North Sikkim.

“Satellite images received from NRSC (ISRO) at 0600 hrs today, reveal the draining out of more than half the lake, most likely as a result of an avalanche from the icecapped feature. CWC’s monitoring stations revealed that the first surge of water was 19 metres above the maximum water level at Sangkalang at 0130 hrs and 4 metres above the maximum water level at Melli at 0400 hrs,” the NDMA said in a statement.

“Continued snowfall in upper reaches and rainfall and clouds in lower reaches is hampering deployment of helicopters and relief operations,” it further said.

The NDMA also said that nearly 25 glacial lakes in Sikkim were assessed to be “at-risk”.

“Recently, in order to mitigate the impact of a GLOF event in these lakes, an NDMA-led expedition in the first week of September 2023 had surveyed two at-risk lakes in order to eventually deploy early warning systems for real-time alerts. At the next stage, NDMA has planned to install early warning systems for real-time alerts at most of 56 at-risk glacial lakes in India,” it said. “Further, this region is known for highly localised heavy rainfall events. Therefore, efforts to improve the predictive ability for such events will also be intensified in collaboration with relevant agencies,” it added.

At least seven people are dead and 49 others, including 23 Army personnel, are missing after the 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.

“Five bodies have been recovered from Golitar and Singtam region,” Gangtok Sub-Divisional Magistrate Mahendra Chettri said.

Another official said 45 people are rescued, including 18 injured.

“A steel bridge at Singtam, known as Indreni bridge, 30 km from the state capital Gangtok has been completely washed away by Teesta river water early Wednesday,” the official said.

The flood that started around 1.30 a.m. in Sikkim was made worse by the release of water from Chungthang dam, according to officials.

The release of water from the Chungthang dam led to a sudden increase in water levels up to 15-20 feet high downstream, defence spokesperson Lt Col Mahendra Rawat said.

- PTI

​

Around 3,000-4,000 people were evacuated last night in and around Rangpo in Sikkim and 5 relief camps were also opened in the district, said an official.

The heavy downpour that triggered the lake outburst reportedly damaged over 150 houses in the Industrial Belt (IBM) at Rangpo, on the banks of river Teesta.

Following the devastation, an unidentified body was also discovered on Wednesday afternoon in the IBM area. In most of the houses, the lower two floors have been submerged in sediments and made redundant, said the official.

- ANI

As many as 43 people, including army soldiers and civilians, have been reported missing after South Lhonak Lake, situated in North West Sikkim experienced a glacial lake outburst and triggered flash floods due to incessant rainfall in the region.

According to Sikkim District Magistrate, Tashi Chopel, “A lot of buildings and vehicles have been damaged by sludge. There are also reports of loss of lives, with around 20 people missing.

- ANI

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has pressed in three teams for rescue-and-relief operations, officials said

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

“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.

“A steel bridge at Singtam, known as Indreni bridge, 30kms from the state capital Gangtok has been completely washed away by Teesta river water early Wednesday,” another official said.

The Sikkim government, in a notification, said the natural calamity has been declared as a disaster.

Alembic Pharmaceuticals on Wednesday said flash floods in the Teesta River has led to disruption in operations at its Sikkim-based manufacturing plant.

“We would like to inform that due to flash floods in river Teesta because of cloud burst, water entered our manufacturing facility at Namthang, South Sikkim, and hence manufacturing operations stand disrupted with effect from October 4,” the drug firm said in a regulatory filing.

There is no loss or harm caused to any personnel, it said, adding that the assessment of loss will take a while.

All assets of the company are adequately insured and necessary intimations have been given to insurance companies, it added.

- PTI

The 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 Central Water Commission (CWC), the water level at three stations – Melli, Singtam and Rohtak – on the Teesta is below the danger mark but hovering near it.

The water level at station Melli is 214.63 metres, while the danger level is 224 metres, it showed.

“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.

- PTI

Meghalaya Chief Minister, in a post on X (formerly, Twitter) said: Distressed to learn about the 23 Army personnel who have been reported missing following the cloud burst and flash flood in Sikkim. Praying for their safety and the well-being of the residents.

Three persons have died, after a cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in north Sikkim resulted in a flash flood in the Teesta River basin, which was aggravated by the release of water from a dam, officials said

“Three bodies have been recovered from Singtam during rescue and relief efforts,” a Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority official said.

Twenty-three army personnel have been reported missing and 41 vehicles submerged under the slush, he said, adding that search operations are underway.

- PTI

Cloudbursts are a common occurrence in Himalayan regions but experts are alarmed by the increase in extreme weather-related events. Cloudbursts are like a “a huge bucket filled with water that is toppled over,” said Anand Sharma, a retired meteorologist with the Indian Meteorological Department, the country’s weather agency.

​Read more here...​

In view of flooding of Teesta river, all government and private schools in Pakyong, Gangtok, Namchi and Mangan districts shall remain closed till October 8, 2023.

- AIR News Gangtok

In the wake of the devastation caused by cloud burst in Sikkim, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Dilli Ram Thapa urged the people of the State to stand together in difficult times and help each other to overcome the destruction.

“Several properties have been damaged. We cannot even estimate right now how much devastation has taken place. I request all institutions to support Sikkim,” said Thapa adding, “I took stock of the situation in the morning and will do it again. Rescue operations are underway,” he assured.

“Today a big situation has arisen in front of the people of Sikkim. I request everyone, all the people of Sikkim to stand together in these times and help each other out of this destruction,” added the Sikkim BJP chief.

- ANI

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday expressed concern over reports that 23 soldiers went missing following a flash flood in Sikkim, and assured all possible help on the part of her government.

“Deeply concerned on getting the news of 23 soldiers missing after a flash flood in Sikkim which followed a cloudburst in the region. While expressing solidarity and promise of assistance from our government side if sought on this matter, I also urge all concerned in North Bengal to maintain maximal vigil in the current season to prevent disasters. Have already asked my Chief Secretary to coordinate disaster management preparedness measures ASAP,” Ms. Banerjee posted on X.

Ms. Banerjee also said that her administration has taken efforts to evacuate people to safer locations in Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts in West Bengal following heavy rain in the last few days.

“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,” the Chief Minister added.

- PTI

A lake ‘outburst’ has been reported at Chungthang, North Sikkim with water levels “rising constantly,” according to M. Mohapatra, Director General, India Meteorological Department, Wednesday morning.

The excess water from the lake burst is draining water into the river Teesta. “Low lying areas in West Bengal such as Gazoldoba, Domohani, Mekhaliganj, and parts of Bangladesh may be affected,” the IMD said.

- Jacob Koshy

According to the Defence Spokesperson, Guwahati, 23 Army personnel are reportedly missing and some vehicles submerged under slush at Bardang near Singtam after a flash flood in the Teesta River in Lachen valley caused due to sudden cloud burst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim. Search operations are underway.

- Dinakar Peri

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar tweeted: The news of our 23 Army personnel missing during a flash flood due to cloudburst in #Sikkim is distressing. I join the nation in praying for the safety & well being of our jawans. Hoping all of our jawans are found safe & sound.