Sikkim flash floods: Forest Minister Karma Loday Bhutia wades through knee-deep sludge in Naga-Chungthang road

Sikkim's Forest Minister, Karma Loday Bhutia, ventured through knee-deep sludge on the Naga-Chungthang road in North Sikkim. His hands-on approach comes at a critical time when the region is struggling with the aftermath of flash floods and mounting concerns about the purported Shako Cho Lake burst.

In response to alarming rumors circulating about a potential Shako Cho Lake burst, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has moved to address the situation. CM Tamang visited the flood-affected Naga Village in North Sikkim, where he engaged with residents to gain insights into their anxieties and challenges.

Offering reassurance to 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.