At least 300 tourists in 60 vehicles, stranded in between Zema to Lachen in North Sikkim, due to rains and landslides, have been rescued by General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF)and Police.
“No permits will be issued to tourists for Lachen, Lachung and Dzongu till further orders. Road in between Chungthang –Lachen –Thangu is blocked in several places,”said District Collector of North Sikkim, RK Yadav.
Due to heavy rainfall suspension bridge in Mantam and Dzongu, also in North Sikkim, has been washed away last night snapping connectivity.
According to a local resident, NHPC guest house at Dickchu is at great risk. The Teesta river flowing down in full spate has become cause of concern, he added.
The Director Indian Meteorological Department( IMD) has ruled out cloud burst, as suggested by certain field authorities, as the cause of the sudden calamity.
However, National Disaster Response Force has been deployed to take control of the situation. The flood has created havoc at lower regions like Singtam, Rangpo and put Teesta Bazar in West Bengal also at risk.
Adarsh Gaon, which lies enroute to South Sikkim, witnessed increase in river level after 1 pm again. The residents of the small colony just on the river bank were shifted to safer areas. Suspension Mangaley Bridge connecting East to South has been swept away last night.
