Photo Credit: PTI
Heavy rainfall has wreaked havoc in Sikkim, triggering multiple landslides and leaving around 1,500 tourists stranded in the northern districts of the Himalayan state. The continuous downpour has caused large-scale destruction, with road connectivity completely disrupted in several key regions including Lachen and Lachung in Mangan district. The situation turned grim after a tourist vehicle carrying ten people reportedly plunged into the swollen Teesta River near Munsithang. One body has been recovered, two passengers have been rescued with injuries, while eight others are still missing. The rising water levels in the Teesta, fuelled by days of unrelenting rain, have forced authorities to suspend the search operations for the missing individuals.
Rescue and relief efforts have been launched by teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Sikkim Police, the fire brigade, and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police. However, their operations have been hampered due to adverse weather conditions and the risk of further landslides. The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for the Mangan district, warning of continued heavy rainfall and extreme weather in the coming days. The under-construction Sankalang bridge, a key project in the region, has also been washed away, further compounding the logistical crisis.
Among the missing is Itishree Jena, a senior BJP leader from Odisha, who was travelling with her son and relatives. Political leaders in Odisha have expressed concern and are in constant touch with local authorities. This is not the first time Sikkim has faced such a natural disaster. In 2023, devastating flash floods had claimed nearly 100 lives and left a trail of destruction in the state. The current disaster once again raises serious questions about disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience in the ecologically fragile region.
As rescue teams remain on standby and weather conditions show no signs of improvement, officials are urging residents and tourists to stay indoors and avoid travel. With tourist season at its peak, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of those stranded and preventing any further loss of life. The state government, in coordination with central agencies, is closely monitoring the situation and working to restore normalcy as soon as possible.
