Gangtok: Sikkim’s Mangan district is grappling with a severe disaster situation as relentless rainfall continues to trigger landslides and disrupt normal life. Chief Secretary R. Telang convened a high-level meeting today to assess the escalating crisis and coordinate urgent relief efforts.
The continuous downpour has caused extensive damage to road infrastructure, plunging large parts of the district into isolation. Key discussions during the meeting focused on clearing road blockages, evacuating stranded tourists, and swiftly restoring essential services such as power, roads, and telecommunications, as per a statement from the Information and Public Relations Department.
Mangan District Magistrate Anant Jain provided a comprehensive briefing to the Chief Secretary via video conference, detailing the prevailing conditions in the district. Chief Secretary Telang instructed both DM Jain and Superintendent of Police Sonam Detchu Bhutia to ensure seamless communication with residents, particularly concerning the logistics and routes for tourist evacuations.
In a significant development, 1,678 tourists stranded in North Sikkim’s Lachung and Chungthang were successfully evacuated yesterday. However, over 100 individuals still remain stuck in Lachen, informed DGP Akshay Sachdeva. The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) and the Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department have officially declared the damage in Mangan, stemming from incessant rainfall since May 28, as a “disaster” under Section 22(2)(b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
Officials from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) updated the meeting on the extensive road damage and ongoing restoration work. The BRO has been directed to deploy additional manpower and machinery to accelerate the reopening of crucial routes. The Chief Secretary also instructed immediate arrangements for a sortie on Tuesday to facilitate emergency access and the deployment of a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team, equipped with satellite phones, from Siliguri to Chatten for rescue and relief operations.
Tragically, three army personnel lost their lives and six soldiers went missing after a landslide struck a military camp at Chhaten in Sikkim on Sunday evening. The landslide, near Lachen town in Mangan district, was triggered by heavy rainfall. Additionally, BSNL and Power Department teams are being mobilised from Pakyong to Lachen with vital equipment and backup batteries to restore communication and electricity services.
The Home Department has been tasked with organising and dispatching field teams, while Gangtok District Magistrate Tushar Nikhare will provide continuous updates and ensure coordination between ground teams and the state control room, in conjunction with the SSDMA. Chief Secretary Telang emphasised the immediate priority of restoring power (both conventional and mobile) and telecommunication services, including the use of satellite-based solutions in inaccessible areas. Should full connectivity not be immediately feasible, departments are to explore foot access routes and evaluate helipad operations, subject to weather conditions.
The Chief Secretary also underscored the critical importance of inter-departmental coordination to consolidate field-level inputs and adopt a unified approach to relief operations. Coordination with the Indian Army for logistical support and situational updates was also suggested. Stressing the need for accurate ground information, Telang urged departments to activate survey and feedback mechanisms to assess current conditions, including the status of road, power, and mobile network infrastructure. The immediate objective remains the restoration of connectivity and the safe evacuation of all stranded individuals.
The meeting saw the participation of officials from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and 27 Mountain Division, along with officers from the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority, representatives of the Travel Agents Association of Sikkim, and various line departments. In light of the ongoing disaster, the state government has urged residents of Mangan district and neighbouring areas to remain vigilant and cooperate fully with local authorities. The state administration is actively monitoring the situation round-the-clock and implementing immediate measures to mitigate the impact.
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