Northeast Desk, 7th October: Karma Loday Bhutia, the Forest Minister of Sikkim, demonstrated hands-on leadership by wading through knee-deep sludge on the Naga-Chungthang road in North Sikkim. This proactive approach by the minister comes at a crucial time when the region is grappling with the aftermath of flash floods and growing concerns about the rumored Shako Cho Lake burst.
Responding to alarming rumors surrounding a potential Shako Cho Lake burst, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang took swift action. CM Tamang visited the flood-affected Naga Village in North Sikkim, where he engaged with residents to better understand their anxieties and challenges.
In an effort to reassure the concerned public, Chief Minister Tamang stated, “As of now, there is no news of a Shako Cho Lake burst, and this information appears to be untrue. The department has not provided any clarification regarding the burst. Therefore, we can only consider it as true when an official statement is released by the department. False information is being circulated, causing unnecessary fear among people.”
Simultaneously, a flash flood wreaked havoc in the picturesque region of Lachen and Lachung in the Mangan district of Sikkim, leaving more than 3,000 tourists stranded. The calamity severed all road communications, rendering tourists and local residents isolated but safe on October 6.
The Indian Air Force launched multiple valiant attempts to execute rescue and relief operations, deploying Mi-17 helicopters. However, adverse weather conditions, including low-lying cloud cover and poor visibility in the Lachen and Lachung valleys, rendered flights impossible to depart from Bagdogra and Chaten. Additionally, the roads leading to Lachen and Lachung sustained significant damage.