The tranquil surroundings of Sikkim’s Lachen Valley have been wrecked by an unexpected and deadly flash flood that has left 23 Army troops and 20 civilians missing. A glacial lake outburst flood that shook the area and necessitated immediate care is said to be connected to this sad tragedy.
The Unfolding Tragedy: Flash Flood Strikes Lachen Valley
The Disaster happened early on Wednesday as a flash flood overwhelmed the Teesta River in Sikkim’s Lachen Valley. In the raging waters, several Army vehicles were submerged, and a search effort has been started to find the missing people. A probable glacial lake outburst caused this disastrous situation to develop.
Rapid Water Surge
The Chungthang dam’s release of water, which caused a fast and abrupt surge in the water level downstream that reached heights of 15-20 feet, was the cause of the flash flood. This surge had disastrous effects, damaging Army vehicles parked close to Singtam and destroying buildings and infrastructure in the Chungthang district of North Sikkim. The flood even destroyed a stretch of NH-10, which connects Sikkim with the rest of West Bengal.
High Alert for Residents
The Sikkim government has declared a high alert for citizens in responses to the crisis. Videos taken and posted by locals show the river in flood and roads being washed away. Precautions ought to be taken immediately to protect the local inhabitants given the dangerous circumstances.Relief efforts Although no injuries have been reported to date, there has been severe harm done to public property. The situation has become much more urgent as 23 Army members and 20 civilians were reported missing. The Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang said that relief efforts are in progress while he was in an impacted area
Understanding Floods Caused by Glacial Lake Outbursts
When a dam holding back a glacial lake fails, catastrophic occurrences known as Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) occur. Such lakes may suddenly release water, causing flash floods that pose a serious risk to the neighborhood.
Sikkim’s Monsoon Fury
Recent days’ worth of torrential rain in Sikkim have made matters worse. Even if the GLOF in Lhonak Lake is blamed for the flash flood, the constant rain has simply made the flood situation worse. The fact that the state is still on red alert and that there is still a heavy rain warning emphasizes the difficulties that are still present.
Support from Mamata Banerjee
Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal, has pledged support for the Sikkim administration and voiced profound worry for the situation there. The importance of teamwork in addressing the disaster’s aftermath is highlighted by this camaraderie in times of adversity.
Article by Debanjana Talukdar
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