Sikkim in Crisis: Landslides and Floods Leave Hundreds Homeless

Heavy rains have wreaked havoc in North Sikkim, causing multiple landslides and isolating the region from the rest of the state. The swollen River Teesta has flooded its banks, leaving hundreds of people homeless. The situation is dire, with Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang announcing a ₹5 lakh compensation for the families of three people who lost their lives in South Sikkim.

District magistrate Hem Kumar Chettri is closely monitoring the situation in Mangan, North Sikkim, where landslides have blocked roads and damaged houses and electricity poles. The road to Mangan district headquarters is cut off, and the crucial National Highway 10 linking Sikkim with Kalimpong, West Bengal, has been affected.

Last year, a flash flood in North Sikkim claimed over 100 lives, serving as a grim reminder of the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters. In South Sikkim, the Teesta River has breached its banks, inundating the Melli Stadium and forcing residents to seek higher ground.

The people of Kalimpong’s Teesta Bazar, still reeling from last year’s flash flood, are once again facing the wrath of the river. The road to Darjeeling via Peshok is submerged, and vehicles parked at Teesta Bazar have been swamped by floodwaters.

Engineers are working tirelessly to repair the damaged roads and infrastructure, but the monsoon season presents a significant challenge. The water level in the Teesta continues to rise, fueled by incessant rainfall in Sikkim. An alert has been issued for heavy to very heavy rain in North Bengal, exacerbating the already precarious situation.

As the region grapples with the aftermath of the landslides and floods, one can only wonder – how will the affected communities recover from this devastation? What measures are being taken to prevent such disasters in the future?

Only time will tell as the authorities and residents come together to rebuild and strengthen their communities in the face of nature’s fury.