Sub Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim have seen intense rainfall activities in the past 24 hours. In fact, Kalimpong recorded 128 mm of rains, Gyalsingh 46.8 mm, Namchi recorded 108 mm of rainfall, Pakyong 119.2 mm, and Soreng 88 mm.
In view of these intense rains, at least 30 people have been reported missing following flash floods caused by a glacial lake outburst in north Sikkim. The incident occurred late on Tuesday night, triggered by the bursting of the Lhonak lake in the region. A senior official from the Central Water Commission (CWC) confirmed the outburst.
Additionally, a statement from the army indicated that at least 23 army personnel were also missing in the incident. Some army establishments in the Lachen valley were affected, with reports of vehicles submerged in slush, including those parked at Bardang near Singtam.
The impact of the flash floods extended to three districts in Sikkim: Mangan (north Sikkim), Pakyong, and Gangtok (east Sikkim), with Mangan being the worst-hit. Authorities warned that the water level in the River Teesta was expected to rise beyond the danger mark within a few hours. Consequently, a flood alert was issued for some districts in north Bengal and Bangladesh. This situation is critical, and rescue and relief efforts are likely underway to locate the missing individuals and provide assistance to the affected areas. Rains will continue which will worsen the situation again.
Even parts of Gangetic West Bengal have seen good rains. Though Monsoon remained deficit by 22 percent for the region. The first few days of October have been rainy. Kolkata's Alipore saw 153 mm of rain in 4 days, and 65 mm in last 24 hours. Normal rains for October is 180 mm. More showers are coming up even today and thereafter.
Tomorrow, Gangetic West Bengal will see some reduction in rains and heavy rains will be seen in Sub Himalayan West Bengal. These showers have been attributed to the Low Pressure Area which is over the eastern region and will soon shift towards Sub Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim and diffuse there itself.
