Tragedy has struck the northeastern state of Sikkim as flash floods and cloudbursts have wreaked havoc, resulting in the loss&nbsp;of at least 53 lives, including seven soldiers.

Additionally, 27 more bodies were discovered in the Teesta riverbed in neighbouring West Bengal over the past three days.&nbsp;

Over 140 people&nbsp;are still missing, while thousands have been displaced by the calamity.

The Sikkim government reports extensive damage to 1,173 houses and the successful rescue of 2,413 people.

The floodwaters have submerged or washed out all bridges downstream to the Teesta-V hydropower station, severely disrupting communication to North Sikkim, as reported by ANI.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sikkim-flash-floods-central-water-commissions-study-alerted-authorities-about-lake-outburst-in-2015-643502">Sikkim flash floods: Central Water Commission’s study alerted authorities about lake outburst in 2015</a>

<h2>Government initiatives and relief efforts</h2>

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has taken charge of the crisis, leading high-level discussions to formulate rescue, relief, and restoration strategies.

Immediate attention has been given to reestablishing road connectivity to Chungthang, with plans to construct the road from Naga to Toong as soon as suitable land becomes available.

Families of the deceased will receive compensation of ₹4 lakh each ($4,812 each).

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts light to moderate rainfall in most areas of Mangan district over the next five days, posing challenges to the evacuation of over 3,000 stranded tourists.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has faced difficulties in conducting rescue operations due to adverse weather conditions, including low cloud cover and visibility in the Lachen and Lachung valleys. Aerial rescue operations are expected to resume once the weather clears.

Flash floods and cloudbursts have caused widespread destruction in Sikkim, affecting more than 25,000 people, damaging nearly 1,200 homes, and destroying 13 bridges.

While rescue efforts have saved 2,413 individuals, 6,875 people remain displaced and are taking shelter in 22 relief camps across the state, which is now largely isolated from the rest of the country.

The flash floods were triggered by a glacial lake burst, leading to the release of water from the Chungthang Dam, resulting in a sudden rise in the Teesta River's water level.

Chief Minister Tamang attributed the catastrophe to "inferior construction" by previous state governments, emphasising the need for improved infrastructure.

Recent reports indicate that a Parliamentary Committee had previously highlighted a severe shortage of meteorological and monitoring stations in Himalayan regions.

Also watch |&nbsp;Esha's gold-silver feat at Hangzhou Asian Games | The India Story

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Sikkim has been informed that it possesses 694 glacial lakes and eight flood forecasting stations, raising questions about the adequacy of monitoring and early warning systems.

An Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) has been formed by the Home Ministry to visit the affected areas and assess the extent of damage, signalling the government's commitment to addressing this calamity.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Tragedy has struck the northeastern state of Sikkim as flash floods and cloudbursts have wreaked havoc, resulting in the loss of at least 53 lives, including seven soldiers.

Tragedy has struck the northeastern state of Sikkim as flash floods and cloudbursts have wreaked havoc, resulting in the loss of at least 53 lives, including seven soldiers. Additionally, 27 more bodies were discovered in the Teesta riverbed in neighbouring West Bengal over the past three days. Over 140 people are still missing, while thousands have been displaced by the calamity. The Sikkim government reports extensive damage to 1,173 houses and the successful rescue of 2,413 people. The floodwaters have submerged or washed out all bridges downstream to the Teesta-V hydropower station, severely disrupting communication to North Sikkim, as reported by ANI. Also read | Sikkim flash floods: Central Water Commission’s study alerted authorities about lake outburst in 2015 Government initiatives and relief efforts Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has taken charge of the crisis, leading high-level discussions to formulate rescue, relief, and restoration strategies. Immediate attention has been given to reestablishing road connectivity to Chungthang, with plans to construct the road from Naga to Toong as soon as suitable land becomes available. Families of the deceased will receive compensation of ₹4 lakh each ($4,812 each). The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts light to moderate rainfall in most areas of Mangan district over the next five days, posing challenges to the evacuation of over 3,000 stranded tourists. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has faced difficulties in conducting rescue operations due to adverse weather conditions, including low cloud cover and visibility in the Lachen and Lachung valleys. Aerial rescue operations are expected to resume once the weather clears. Flash floods and cloudbursts have caused widespread destruction in Sikkim, affecting more than 25,000 people, damaging nearly 1,200 homes, and destroying 13 bridges. While rescue efforts have saved 2,413 individuals, 6,875 people remain displaced and are taking shelter in 22 relief camps across the state, which is now largely isolated from the rest of the country. The flash floods were triggered by a glacial lake burst, leading to the release of water from the Chungthang Dam, resulting in a sudden rise in the Teesta River's water level. Chief Minister Tamang attributed the catastrophe to "inferior construction" by previous state governments, emphasising the need for improved infrastructure. Recent reports indicate that a Parliamentary Committee had previously highlighted a severe shortage of meteorological and monitoring stations in Himalayan regions. Also watch | Esha's gold-silver feat at Hangzhou Asian Games | The India Story Sikkim has been informed that it possesses 694 glacial lakes and eight flood forecasting stations, raising questions about the adequacy of monitoring and early warning systems. An Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) has been formed by the Home Ministry to visit the affected areas and assess the extent of damage, signalling the government's commitment to addressing this calamity. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Sikkim flash floods: 53 killed, 27 bodies recovered from Teesta river

A research conducted by the Central Water Commission back in 2015 has now grabbed headlines after flash floods in India’s northeastern state of Sikkim wreaked havoc claiming lives of at least 22 people.

As per news agency PTI reports, the study had clearly warned the state government that most of the hydropower projects on the Teesta river are extremely prone to such events.

A Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), which took place in parts of Lhonak Lake, lead to a rapid rise in water levels with very high velocities downstream along the Teesta River Basin in the early hours of Oct 4.

The CWC analysis, titled “Glacial Lake Outburst Flood–South Lhonak System in Teesta River Basin”, was aimed at studying the impact of GLOF in vulnerable areas and the hydropower projects on the river.

CWC investigators found out that GLOFs in glacial lakes in the river basin could lead to extreme flash floods downstream, affecting areas like Lachen, Chungthang, Dikchu, Singtam, Manipal, Rangpo, Bara Mungwa villages, and the entirety of hydropower projects Teesta I to VI along a 175-km stretch of the river.

The 2015 research also predicted a probable increase in the river’s water level by 4.45 metres due to a GLOF at South Lhonak Lake.

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/explained-is-sikkim-flash-floods-a-result-of-cloud-burst-or-glacial-lake-outburst-642897"> Explained | Is Sikkim flash flood not caused by cloud burst but glacial lake outburst?</a>

It assessed that the lake could release water at a rate of 6,210 cubic metres per second, which could reach Chungthang and the Teesta III projects within two hours.

Surprisingly, the study had also underlined the need for the hydropower project authorities to take the findings into consideration and accordingly develop mechanisms for close monitoring of the lakes.

According to news agency PTI reports, experts say that despite issuing multiple warnings, the authorities failed to install early warning systems.

“Multiple studies, including one by the commission, had cautioned the state authorities about the GLOF hazard in the upper Teesta River region. We currently have one flood forecasting station 20 km upstream of Chungthang. More stations can be installed if the state submits a proposal,” a CWC official said on condition of anonymity.

According to the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA), the disaster has killed at least 22 people, including seven army jawans, whereas 103 others are missing.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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A research conducted by the Central Water Commission back in 2015 has now grabbed headlines after flash floods in India’s northeastern state of Sikkim wreaked havoc claiming lives of at least 22 people.

A research conducted by the Central Water Commission back in 2015 has now grabbed headlines after flash floods in India’s northeastern state of Sikkim wreaked havoc claiming lives of at least 22 people. As per news agency PTI reports, the study had clearly warned the state government that most of the hydropower projects on the Teesta river are extremely prone to such events. A Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), which took place in parts of Lhonak Lake, lead to a rapid rise in water levels with very high velocities downstream along the Teesta River Basin in the early hours of Oct 4. The CWC analysis, titled “Glacial Lake Outburst Flood–South Lhonak System in Teesta River Basin”, was aimed at studying the impact of GLOF in vulnerable areas and the hydropower projects on the river. CWC investigators found out that GLOFs in glacial lakes in the river basin could lead to extreme flash floods downstream, affecting areas like Lachen, Chungthang, Dikchu, Singtam, Manipal, Rangpo, Bara Mungwa villages, and the entirety of hydropower projects Teesta I to VI along a 175-km stretch of the river. The 2015 research also predicted a probable increase in the river’s water level by 4.45 metres due to a GLOF at South Lhonak Lake. Also read: Explained | Is Sikkim flash flood not caused by cloud burst but glacial lake outburst? It assessed that the lake could release water at a rate of 6,210 cubic metres per second, which could reach Chungthang and the Teesta III projects within two hours. Surprisingly, the study had also underlined the need for the hydropower project authorities to take the findings into consideration and accordingly develop mechanisms for close monitoring of the lakes. According to news agency PTI reports, experts say that despite issuing multiple warnings, the authorities failed to install early warning systems. “Multiple studies, including one by the commission, had cautioned the state authorities about the GLOF hazard in the upper Teesta River region. We currently have one flood forecasting station 20 km upstream of Chungthang. More stations can be installed if the state submits a proposal,” a CWC official said on condition of anonymity. According to the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA), the disaster has killed at least 22 people, including seven army jawans, whereas 103 others are missing. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sikkim flash floods: Central Water Commission’s study alerted authorities about lake outburst in 2015

Sikkim flash floods leave trail of destruction flash flood is wreaking havoc in India’s Sikkim state. According to the latest reports, thousands of tourists stranded in Sikkim have been declared safe. Army and local administration are providing assistance to restore road connectivity. Evacuations and rescue operations are expected to start today.

Sikkim flash floods: At least 22 killed including 7 Army personnel; 2,000 evacuated so far

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Sikkim flash floods: 53 killed, 27 bodies recovered from Teesta river

Sikkim flash floods: Central Water Commission’s study alerted authorities about lake outburst in 2015

Sikkim flash floods: At least 22 killed including 7 Army personnel; 2,000 evacuated so far