Massive Landslides Triggered by Excessive Rainfall Claim Nine Lives in North Sikkim
Desk Report, June 15, 2024: Nine people have died due to excessive rainfall causing massive landslides in North Sikkim. The death toll from the recent spate of rainfall and landslides in the state has reached nine, with three deaths reported on Monday.
Approximately 1,500 tourists are stranded in popular destinations such as Lachung, Yumthang, and Dikchu. Vast areas of Mangan district, which encompasses the entirety of North Sikkim, are affected. In response to the flash floods, West Bengal has restricted movement on National Highway 10.
“It’s been raining continuously for 36 hours. The road to North Sikkim has been damaged in multiple locations, severing connections to the district,” said Hem Kumar Chettri, District Magistrate of Mangan. “The stranded tourists are all safe, but we have not been able to evacuate them due to the damage,” he added, noting that 11 of the tourists are foreign nationals.
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has instructed the administration, police, and officials of various departments to ensure swift assistance and response to the devastation.
Last year, 179 people died in Sikkim when a Himalayan glacial lake outburst triggered floods. The flash floods in the Teesta river, caused by the glacial lake burst, extensively damaged roads and bridges across the mountainous state.
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