Latest news with #SonamDetchuBhutia
The Hindu
6 hours ago
- Climate
- The Hindu
Northeast India battered by rain; lakhs affected
Heavy rains continue to wreak havoc in India's Northeast region. The death toll in landslides, floods, flash floods, and lightning caused by the heavy rain across the region reached 34 since May 28. Four people died on Sunday (June 1, 2025) – two in Assam, and one each in Mizoram and Tripura. On Sunday, the flood situation in Assam remained worrisome as 10 major rivers were flowing above the danger level. More than 3.64 lakh people across 19 districts of Assam have been affected by the floods that disrupted road transport and train services. Tripura also witnessed heavy to very heavy rainfall across multiple districts on Sunday and is expected to receive extremely heavy downpour in isolated areas till June 4. The floods in Manipur affected more than 3,800 people and damaged at least 883 houses. The Imphal East district suffered maximum damage, as some major rivers breached embankments, flooding vast swathes of the State's capital and the surrounding localities. Mizoram is one of the worst-affected States in the region, with officials recording landslides and landslips from 211 locations. At a review meeting headed by Chief Minister Lalduhoma, officials said 60 houses had collapsed while 69 more were deserted for fear of collapse, and seven power sub-stations suffered extensive damage, while roads were blocked at 83 locations. In Sikkim's Mangan district, some 1,500 tourists were stranded as roads were blocked following landslides. The district's Superintendent of Police, Sonam Detchu Bhutia, told The Hindu that 1,350 of these tourists have been stuck at Lachung and 115 at Lachen. The Indian Air Force rescued 14 people who were stranded in the middle of the flooded Bomjir River in the Lower Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh. A Mi-17 helicopter was added to the rescue operations, following requests from the Arunachal Pradesh and Assam governments. The Hindu's Editorials The Hindu's Daily Quiz IndiGo has given an undertaking to the DGCA to terminate the pact with which airlines? Emirates Singapore Airline Turkish Airline British Airways To know the answer and to play the full quiz, click here.
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Time of India
Bengal tourists among 1,400 stranded in north Sikkim after key bridge collapse
1 2 Kalimpong: Close to 1,400 tourists, most of them from Bengal, are stranded in North Sikkim after parts of the Phidang Bridge collapsed. The bridge, which serves as the main entry point to parts of North Sikkim, including Dzongu, is now closed to vehicular traffic. As a result, close to 250 vehicles have found themselves trapped in the northern district, most of them in Lachung and Lachen. All of the tourists are, however, safe and staying in their hotels, authorities confirmed. "As many as 1,276 domestic tourists and two foreign tourists are trapped in Lachung and 112 domestic tourists and four foreign tourists are stranded in Lachen. We will try to evacuate them tomorrow once the road is restored," said Mangan SP Sonam Detchu Bhutia on Sunday. Roads that are blocked due to landslides will be cleared by this evening, hopes the district administration. "The evacuation work will hopefully begin from Monday morning," said Sonam Norgay Lachungpa, vice president in charge of Sikkim Tourism. Tourist agents in Darjeeling have been receiving SOS calls from several Bengali tourists, urging them to send more vehicles to Sikkim and bring back those stranded. There have also been reports of spikes in fares. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 180k traders trust IC Markets for CFD trading | Sign up today IC Markets Learn More Undo "There are three different roads between Sikkim and Siliguri. If the usual route gets blocked due to a landslide, drivers take a longer route, leading to higher fares. We have appealed to all driver associations not to increase the fares drastically," said Pradeep Lama, general secretary of Darjeeling Association of Travel Agents. This comes amid continuing search operations for eight missing tourists and a driver after their vehicle fell into the Teesta on May 29. Rescue efforts have been affected by incessant rainfall in North Sikkim. The river has swollen by at least four inches and has altered its course, SP Bhutia said, making the searches more difficult. Sikkim continues to have yellow and orange rainfall warnings. Sources, however, said authorities had recovered four ID cards and six mobile phones near the accident site. Meanwhile, Sikkim forest minister Phintso Namgyal Lepcha called for stricter regulations. "Tours and travels, along with drivers, should take precautions, especially when the weather is bad. Tourists are our guests. They come here to see the beauty of Sikkim, but because of our carelessness, they are losing their lives," he said, adding that the movement of vehicles should be restricted after 3pm in North Sikkim.
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Over 1,500 tourists stranded in Sikkim due to landslides
ADVERTISEMENT Nearly 1,500 tourists remained stranded in north Sikkim due to severe flooding and landslides. The Sankalang bridge has collapsed, blocking a key road, while the main feeding bridge towards north Sikkim has also been closed due to SP Sonam Detchu Bhutia said 115 tourists are stranded in Lachen and 1,350 tourists in Lachung. "The exit route is closed due to landslides at multiple locations. Tourists have been advised to remain in their hotels, and once the roads are opened, they will be shifted," he death toll in northeastern states has risen to 28 since Thursday due to flooding and landslides in Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura. According to the state disaster management authority in Assam, three people have died in the last 48 hours due to floods while five others died due to landslides in different parts of Guwahati.A critical relief mission was launched by Indian Air Force early on Sunday in response to a request received from the state administrations of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Fourteen people stranded in the middle of flooded Bomjir river in the Lower Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh, cut off from mainland, were safely rescued. The operation was undertaken by Mi 17 flood situation is becoming grim in Assam. Central Water Commission department's data indicated that water levels of the Brahmaputra river Burhi Dihing, Barak and some other rivers are flowing above danger level with reports of water level rising at many June last year, around nine people died as excessive rainfall triggered massive landslides across North Sikkim. At least 179 people died in 2023 in Sikkim when a Himalayan glacial lake outburst triggered floods. The flash floods in the Teesta, triggered by a glacial lake burst in north Sikkim, had left roads and bridges extensively damaged across the mountain home minister Amit Shah posted on X, "Spoke with the chief ministers of Assam, Manipur, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh... Also assured them of every possible help to tackle any situation. The Modi government stands like a rock in support of the people of the Northeast."
NDTV
19 hours ago
- Climate
- NDTV
Over 1,200 Tourists Stranded Amid Rain, Landslides, Rising Rivers In Sikkim
Guwahati: As monsoon tightens its grip on North Sikkim, more than 1,276 domestic tourists and two foreign nationals remain stranded in the picturesque but now perilous valleys of Lachen and Lachung in Mangan district. The situation, triggered by continuous rainfall, landslides, and rising water in the river Teesta, has brought both travel and rescue efforts to a standstill. Evacuation was scheduled for Sunday, but fresh landslides have come in the way. Eight tourists who went missing on May 29 after their vehicle plunged into the Teesta River at Munshithang, ae yet to be traced. In Dzongu, the Phidang Bailey bridge -- newly built after the devastating Glacial Lake Outburst Flood in 2023 -- has suffered structural damage in its base due to the surging waters. The bridge, which acts as a lifeline connecting the isolated Dzongu constituency, is now only passable on foot. Local authorities and the GREF (General Reserve Engineer Force) managed to restore partial access for emergency services on Sunday, but the damage is extensive. "A fresh landslide in Shipgyer, Upper Dzongu, on Friday night blocked the route, forcing a delay... With roads cut off and communication lines fragile, the region remains in a precarious," said Sonam Detchu Bhutia, a senior police officer of Mangan. "The condition of roads in North Sikkim is pathetic. Around 700 to 800 tourists may still be stranded in the higher reaches. The Phidang bridge was our only hope, and even that's now under threat," said Sonam Kipa Bhutia, Zilla Panchayat Upadhakshya of Mangan District.
Time of India
a day ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Sankalang Bridge washed away as Teesta River swells amid heavy rainfall in Sikkim; IMD issues red alert for Mangan district
SIKKIM: A section of the under-construction Sankalang Bridge in North Sikkim was swept away by the Teesta River on Sunday, following intense and continuous rainfall in the region. — PTI_News (@PTI_News) The bridge holds critical importance as it serves as the only road link connecting Dzongu, Chungthang, Lachung, and Lachen to the rest of Sikkim. Its damage has severely impacted connectivity to these remote areas. The Teesta River's water level rose sharply due to the heavy downpour in the region. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Mangan district in Sikkim today, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall in the region. An orange alert has also been issued for Gyalshing, Namchi, Soreng, Gangtok, and Pakyong districts for the next 24 hours. Meanwhile, rescue operations entered the second day in Mangan district as teams continue to search for nine missing persons after a tourist vehicle carrying 11 people plunged nearly 1,000 feet into the Teesta River near Chubombu on May 29. Sonam Detchu Bhutia, superintendent of police, Mangan, confirmed that efforts are ongoing despite challenging weather conditions. SP Sonam Detchu Bhutia said, "The tourists went missing after the incident in which their vehicle fell into the river. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Rome: L'ultima soluzione acustica svizzera: ingegnosa e quasi invisibile Migliora Udito Undo Two of them were rescued safely on the night of May 29. The remaining nine, including the driver from Sikkim, ITBP, SDRF, and NDRF, conducted a rescue operation yesterday. But the car that had fallen into the river could not be pulled out as it was stuck in debris. We did not find any bodies near it." "There was heavy rain last night; there was also a cloudburst in the upper areas. The water level of the Teesta River has increased by 4 meters. The roads are broken at multiple places. The Deputy Commissioner is at the spot. The SDM and SDPO are directed to carry out the search operations non-stop. There are six tourists from Odisha, two from Tripura and two from UP. There were 11 people, including a driver from Sikkim," he added. Rescue Volunteer from the Tourism Department, Anand Gurung said, "We were on our way for the rescue operation, going on to find the tourists who went missing after their car fell into the river. The roads are blocked for the next 7-8 km. The teams at the spot are carrying out the rescue operations. Our team was on backup, but we won't be able to reach today. Any vehicle cannot pass from here as of now." According to the district administration, several properties have been damaged due to landslides triggered by heavy rainfall in North Sikkim. The worst-affected areas include Theeng and Chungthang, where multiple structures sustained damage. In light of the ongoing weather conditions, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has strongly advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel, stay indoors whenever possible, and keep a safe distance from riverbanks and vulnerable slopes.
