What happened?
October 4 is a story of nature's merciless wrath and people's plight. It was a night of horror and havoc in Sikkim when a cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim unleashed a torrent of water in the Teesta River in Lachen Valley. The flood was like a monster, devouring everything in its path. Houses, bridges, roads, and people were swept away by the merciless force of nature.
The death toll has climbed to 14, while 102 people are still missing. The flood also wreaked havoc on the power generation and transmission in the region, as several projects of NHPC were damaged or shut down.
How did it affect the people?
The flood not only snatched lives and property but also shattered the normal life and livelihood of thousands of people in Sikkim and neighbouring areas. More than 3,000 tourists were stranded in different parts of Sikkim, while some 166 people were rescued by the army and other agencies.
Many people lost their homes and belongings and had to take shelter in relief camps the government and NGOs set up. Some of the stories of the affected people are:
- A group of bikers from Kolkata, who were on a motorcycle-cum-trekking trip, were stuck near Singtem without food or water. They had to spend the night on the road, as the highway that connects Sikkim to the rest of India was blocked by landslides and debris.
- Ramakant Yadav, a construction worker from Bihar, who was heading to Sikkim for a job, was stranded at the New Jalpaiguri railway station with eight of his friends. They had no money or food and were waiting for the train services to resume.
- Tashi Dorjee, a resident of Dikchu, lost his house and his family in the flood. He was sleeping when the water came rushing in, and barely managed to escape. Unfortunately, he saw his wife and two children being swept away by the current. He is now living in a relief camp in a nearby school, hoping to find his loved ones.
What is being done?
The state government and the central government have announced relief and compensation packages for the victims of the flood. The chief minister of Sikkim has visited the affected areas and assured all possible help to the people.
The prime minister of India has also expressed his condolences and solidarity with the people of Sikkim. The rescue and relief operations are still going on, with the help of the army, the NDRF, the police, and other agencies.
The restoration of power supply and communication is also underway. The authorities are also trying to clear the roads and restore the transport links with Sikkim and other states.
The cloudburst in Sikkim left a trail of death and destruction. The people face an uncertain future. Can they rebuild their lives? Can they avoid such disasters? Can they protect their culture and nature from climate change and development? These are the questions that haunt them, as they hope for a better tomorrow.
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