Cloudburst | Over 250 tourists stranded in North Sikkim

As many as 60 visitor vehicles have been stranded in North Sikkim after ferocious rains in view of a cloudburst were seen in parts of Sikkim yesterday.

Due to these rains, vehicles remained stuck between the areas of Lachen and Zema 3. Efforts are in progress to send the stuck tourists first to Lachen and after that to Gangtok conceivably by Tuesday if the weather permits.

Truck stuck at Teesta in Sevoke due to rise in water level. We had alerted yesterday that due to cloud burst in Sikkim, the dams are continuously releasing water as it had crossed danger level.

ALERT ALL – AVOID GOING INTO THE RIVER pic.twitter.com/kV0xLMTbU3

— I Love Siliguri (@ILoveSiliguri) June 18, 2019

CM PS Golay has directed to clear the street as quickly as time permits for the entry of the vehicles which will take visitors to their particular destinations.

WARNING ALERT DANGER
– CLOUD BURST IN SIKKIM CHUNGTHANG

STAY AWAY FROM TEESTA
– INFORM ALL pic.twitter.com/XF9uP59rrA

— I Love Siliguri (@ILoveSiliguri) June 17, 2019

Golay additionally asked authorities to extend all assistance to people who have been suffering due to the mishap.

The North Sikkim area authority said that it will stop issuing travel permit for Dzongu, Lachen, and Lachung because of the severe weather conditions.

Heavy rains due to the cloudburst earlier had been seen in the upper regions of Teesta River and the Teesta III hydropower project authorities have discharged 600 cusecs of water from the Chungathang dam.

A substantial inflow of muddy water was accounted for to come towards Dickchu Teesta V dam from 2.30 pm onwards because of the rain.

Inhabitants of Singtam and Rangpo have been alarmed about the unexpected spate in Teesta River through its downstream which streams downwards through East Sikkim.