The recent flooding in India’s northeastern region has resulted in the recovery of approximately 50 bodies and extensive damage to infrastructure. The Himalayan state of Sikkim, nestled between Bhutan and Nepal, has been particularly hard-hit, with numerous individuals reported missing and over a thousand tourists left stranded. This catastrophic event was triggered by the overflow of a glacial lake into the Teesta River, following a sudden and intense cloudburst of rainfall.
According to official reports, Sikkim has witnessed 27 confirmed fatalities, while at least 23 bodies have been discovered downstream in the neighboring West Bengal state. The repercussions of this flooding have been devastating, encompassing the destruction of the Sikkim Urja hydroelectric dam in Chungthang, more than a dozen bridges, a sewage treatment plant, highways, and various roads. Ongoing rescue operations have successfully relocated almost 2,500 individuals to safety, with thousands seeking refuge in relief camps, as reported by the state government.
Helicopter evacuations and supply deliveries are scheduled to commence as soon as weather conditions permit, as indicated in the video update by the Sikkim Information and Public Relations Department on Friday evening.
As of Friday, the Ministry of Defense’s Public Information Bureau in Gangtok, Sikkim’s capital, reported at least 1,471 tourists stranded in the region. Thankfully, all stranded tourists have been confirmed to be safe, and no adverse incidents have been reported thus far, as conveyed by the state tourism office in a statement released on Thursday. The tourism office has also issued advice to all prospective travelers, recommending the postponement of their planned trips to the area.
The Himalayan region has a history of susceptibility to flooding, with previous incidents occurring in India’s Himachal Pradesh state and Uttarakhand state in recent years. Experts attribute the increasing frequency and severity of such events to climate change.
Furthermore, there are growing concerns about the potential rise in floods caused by glacial lake bursts in the coming decades. A report from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development in July identified 200 glacial lakes as “deemed dangerous” due to the risk of bursting.
Additionally, this week’s disaster may have been exacerbated by the region’s hydroelectric infrastructure, which was commissioned in 2017, according to Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang. Preliminary reports suggest that substandard construction practices during the building of the Chungthang Dam may have contributed to the catastrophic situation. An inquiry into the flood has been announced.
In response to the crisis, the Indian government has approved nearly $5.4 million for disaster relief efforts and is mobilizing a team to assess the extent of the damage, as stated by its Public Information Bureau. The National Disaster Response Force, along with personnel from the Indian Air Force and Army equipped with search and rescue equipment, has been deployed to address the disaster. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has expressed unwavering support for Sikkim and its affected residents, underscoring its commitment to providing assistance during this challenging period. Prime Minister Modi personally offered prayers for the safety and well-being of all those affected by this unfortunate natural calamity.
