Lake Outburst in North Sikkim Sparks Flooding Concerns
The Flood Met Office in Jalpaiguri has issued an urgent alert following a significant lake outburst in Chungthang, North Sikkim. As water levels continue to rise at an alarming rate, residents in the vicinity are urged to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions.
The burst of a lake in North Sikkim, which occurred just a few hours ago, has raised concerns throughout the catchment area of the Teesta River. Low-lying regions such as Gazoldoba, Domohani, Mekhaliganj, Ghish, and areas in Bangladesh are at risk of being affected by the ensuing flooding.
This unfortunate incident may be attributed to the persistent and almost incessant rainfall that Sikkim and the Darjeeling/Kalimpong districts have experienced since yesterday. Additionally, there is speculation that the outburst could be linked to a Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) from the Lhonak glacier in North Sikkim. Furthermore, dam operations in the Teesta River may have contributed to the flooding.
The event unfolded around 1 a.m., and due to continuous rain and power outages, obtaining verified information has proven challenging. Authorities have informed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) control room, which has in turn alerted the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for assistance.
Despite the ongoing heavy rainfall, it is expected that as daylight breaks, the situation will become clearer. The Flood Met Office has also provided rainfall observations from various regions in Sikkim, highlighting the intensity of the downpour.
Rainfall Observations (0830 hrs IST to 0530 hrs IST):
- Mangam (North Sikkim): 2.5 mm
- Tadong (East Sikkim): 30.0 mm
- Ravangla (South Sikkim): 52.0 mm
- Manga Geyzing (West Sikkim): 39.5 mm
- Yuksom (West Sikkim): 26.5 mm
- Soreng (West Sikkim): 84.0 mm
- Namchi (South Sikkim): 98.0 mm
- Namthang (South Sikkim): 90.5 mm
Regarding the weather forecast for Sikkim, widespread light to moderate rainfall is expected over the next 3-4 days, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and preparedness in the region. Authorities and relief agencies are actively monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of residents and mitigate the impact of the flooding.
