Flash Floods Strand 3,000 Tourists in Lachen and Lachung, Sikkim; Rescue Efforts Underway
Sikkim, India: In the wake of a devastating flash flood that struck Sikkim five days ago, over 3,000 people, predominantly tourists, find themselves stranded in the picturesque towns of Lachen and Lachung. These two Himalayan gems have been cut off from the world since the catastrophe hit, leaving officials scrambling to organize rescue operations and provide assistance.
The calamity was triggered by an outburst in a glacial lake in north Sikkim on a fateful Tuesday night. The resulting deluge surged down the river Teesta, wreaking havoc as it went. As of now, the death toll stands at a tragic 82, with at least 140 individuals still unaccounted for.
The worst-hit area is Mangan district in north Sikkim, where Lachen and Lachung are situated. Over 50 villages and towns within the district have borne the brunt of this natural disaster, affecting more than 30,000 people, according to the latest estimates from the Sikkim government. In this district alone, four lives have been lost, and a dozen people are still missing.
The treacherous terrain has made rescue operations a formidable challenge. An official from Mangan district reported, “We have managed to reach Chungthang from where the road divides – one heading towards Lachen and another to Lachung. But these two towns, beyond Chungthang, still remain inaccessible to relief and rescue workers. Around 3,000 people are still stranded there. They are being helped by the local administration.”
Lachen, known as the gateway to Gurudongmar Lake, stands at a jaw-dropping altitude of 17,000 feet, close to the Indo-China border. Meanwhile, Lachung serves as a stopover for tourists en route to the picturesque Yumthang Valley. Both towns are crucial in the state’s tourism landscape.
Efforts to aid those stranded have included impressive feats of engineering. The Indian Army and local volunteers have constructed makeshift bamboo bridges, connecting Chungthang with Pegong, to facilitate the transportation of tourists and locals to safer areas.
Remarkably, stories of courage and resilience are emerging from the disaster zone. A homestay owner guided ten stranded Indian tourists through perilous hilly trails from Chungthang to Rangrang, where they were safely picked up by the tourism department officials and transported to the state’s capital, Gangtok.
Unfortunately, inclement weather conditions initially hindered air-borne rescue operations. Rainfall in Mangan and Gangtok caused delays, but officials are hopeful that these operations will commence soon. Additionally, an inter-ministerial central team is expected to arrive in Gangtok on Monday to assess the extent of the damage and facilitate the much-needed relief efforts.
As Sikkim unites in its efforts to overcome this catastrophe, the nation watches and prays for the safe return of those trapped in the breathtaking yet perilous terrain of Lachen and Lachung.