The tranquil landscape of Sikkim’s Mangan district was shattered by a series of devastating landslides, triggered by relentless rainfall, which claimed one life and left five individuals missing. Officials, reeling from the catastrophe, reported the grim toll on Thursday.
The landslides wrought havoc, obstructing roads with debris, inundating houses, and toppling electricity poles. Amid the chaos, the body of one unfortunate soul was discovered in the Pakshep area of Mangan, while three others were reported missing from Ambithang near Rangrang, with two more from Pakshep.
Geythang bore the brunt of the destruction, with three houses damaged, while Nampathang near Pentok suffered a similar fate, compounding the crisis. The Bringbong police outpost had to be relocated due to a landslide, and the foundation of a bridge at Sankalan sustained significant damage.
Communication networks in North Sikkim were severely disrupted, exacerbating the challenges faced by rescue operations. Responding promptly, the district administration sought the deployment of an SDRF team equipped with ration supplies to aid in Mangan.
District Magistrate Hem Kumar Chettri swiftly convened an emergency meeting with department heads to streamline relief efforts and mitigate further risks. An earthmover was pressed into service near Mangshila Degree College to clear blocked roads and facilitate access.
Despite being away in Arunachal Pradesh for the swearing-in ceremony of BJP leader Pema Khandu, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang maintained constant communication with district authorities, police, and department officials to ensure a swift response to the disaster.
In a statement, Chief Minister Tamang pledged comprehensive support for the victims and affected families, vowing assistance for recovery, temporary shelters, and essential provisions. He reiterated the state government’s unwavering commitment to aiding those impacted by the landslides, promising to return imminently to oversee rescue and relief operations firsthand.