Flash Flood Devastates North Sikkim Region

Flash Flood Devastates North Sikkim Region

VoM News Desk | October 10, 2023 | 05:24 PM IST | Floods/Landslides/Event, Sikkim | Follow on Google News

Flash Flood Devastates North Sikkim Region

Flash Flood Devastates North Sikkim Region

In the early hours of last Wednesday, a catastrophic flash flood wreaked havoc in the serene region of north Sikkim’s Lachen. Triggered by the outburst of a glacial lake, this natural disaster caught residents and tourists alike by surprise.

Rapid Evacuation Amid Darkness and Chaos

Malay Kumar Saha and his wife Kakali Saha, visiting the area, were jolted from their sleep by a loud bang on their hotel room door. It was the hotel staff urgently instructing them to evacuate due to the impending flash floods. Around 2:30 am, the town of Lachen was plunged into darkness as the couple, along with 20 other tourists, rushed to safety. The roaring river, unseen but heard, and the terrifying noises of landslides and falling trees added to the chaos.

Isolation and Uncertainty

With no mobile connectivity, rumors swirled among the stranded. Some believed it was a cloudburst, others a dam burst, and some even thought an earthquake caused the calamity. The Sahas and other stranded families endured isolation, with no electricity or communication. Food supplies dwindled as roads and bridges were washed away, leaving Lachung and Lachen cut off from the rest of Sikkim.

As days passed, hope dwindled, and fears grew as rumors of another flash flood circulated. Panic set in, especially at night when darkness blanketed the town. People sought refuge in hillside Buddhist monasteries, praying for their safety.

VoM News Desk

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