Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, also known as PS Golay, visited the flood-affected regions in Rangpo town, Pakyong district, where he provided reassurance to displaced individuals taking shelter in relief camps, assuring them of comprehensive assistance. He stated that the flood had severed road connectivity between districts, washed away bridges, and significantly disrupted communication in North Sikkim. The calamity has impacted approximately 25,000 people, according to CM Tamang.
CM Tamang reported that he had communicated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, President Droupadi Murmu, and other Union ministers to discuss the prevailing situation. He conveyed that they had assured him of extending all necessary support to the state. In response to the dire circumstances, Home Minister Shah sanctioned an advance amount of Rs 44.8 crore from the central portion of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to provide relief to the affected population.
Following Home Minister Shah's directive, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has formed an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT), which will conduct an evaluation of the damage caused by a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), cloudburst, and flash flood in the affected areas of Sikkim. This initiative aims to determine the extent of the destruction.Â
The central government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has pledged unwavering support to Sikkim and is committed to assisting the state. Pending the IMCT's assessment, additional central assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) will be provided to Sikkim, following established procedures.
The flash flood in the Teesta River, triggered by a cloudburst at Lhonak Lake, resulted in the accumulation of a significant volume of water. This body of water subsequently directed its course towards the Chungthang Dam, causing damage to the power infrastructure before inundating towns and villages downstream. As of the latest bulletin from the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA), 2,411 individuals who were stranded due to the flash flood have been successfully evacuated. A total of 7,644 people affected by the floods are being accommodated in 26 relief camps across four impacted districts. Search efforts for missing individuals are ongoing, and both the administration and defense forces are actively working to ensure the safety of stranded tourists.
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