Asia Press Agency

Tag: Flash Floods

  • Flash Floods: Cloudburst in Sikkim Cause Teesta River Overflow

    Flash Floods: Cloudburst in Sikkim Cause Teesta River Overflow

    Flash floods in West Bengal, triggered by a cloudburst in Sikkim, have caused the Teesta River to overflow, resulting in significant damage to the region. Videos and images shared by news agency ANI show the Teesta River overflowing its banks, leading to damage to vehicles and residential structures in Kalimpong, a town located near the Sikkim border.

     

    Some video clips depict houses and vehicles submerged under sludge as the swollen river brought devastation to the Teesta Bazaar region of Kalimpong.

     

    West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her deep concern over the flood-like situation that has unfolded in the state. She reported that approximately 10,000 people have been successfully rescued and are currently being accommodated in 190 relief camps established across nine districts in both the southern and northern parts of the state. Despite her ongoing leg injury, Chief Minister Banerjee has taken on the responsibility of personally monitoring the situation round the clock from her home. In light of the crisis, leaves for several state government officials have been canceled to ensure a coordinated and effective response to manage the flood situation.

     

    West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose conducted a visit to the flood-affected districts in the northern part of the state to assess the situation on the ground.

     

    The northern part of West Bengal shares a border with Sikkim, the epicenter of the flash flood disaster in the Teesta River. This catastrophic event has resulted in at least 40 casualties, numerous injuries, and an alarming count of approximately 110 individuals still reported as missing.

     

    Chief Minister Banerjee convened a meeting to evaluate the evolving situation and directed Chief Secretary HK Dwivedi and Home Secretary BP Gopalika to promptly assemble a team of senior officials to be dispatched to the flood-affected areas of West Bengal. She underscored that 10,000 people residing in low-lying areas of the affected districts have already been rescued. Additionally, both the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been alerted and are actively engaged in relief and rescue operations. Banerjee has pledged her continuous vigilance over the situation, promising to monitor it 24/7 from her home, even as she recovers from her leg injury, which may necessitate another week of healing.

     

    The flash floods in West Bengal serve as a stark reminder of the unpredictable and devastating impact of natural disasters and the importance of swift and coordinated response efforts to mitigate their effects and provide assistance to affected communities.

  • Himachal Pradesh Faces Flash Floods

    Himachal Pradesh Faces Flash Floods

    The Kinner Kailash Yatra in Himachal Pradesh, traditionally commencing from Kalpa on August 1, has been tentatively postponed to August 15 due to the devastating flash floods in Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla and Kinnaur districts. The calamitous floods have caused extensive damage to roads, houses, and vehicles, prompting authorities to delay the annual pilgrimage.

     

    The revered Kinner Kailash Yatra concludes at the majestic Kinner Kailash peak, situated at an altitude of 6,050 meters in Kinnaur district. However, this year’s pilgrimage faces uncertainty as the region grapples with the aftermath of the flash floods and cloudburst caused by heavy rains. The Sangla valley in Kinnaur district witnessed 27 vehicles being damaged, while agricultural land in Kamru Panchayat got inundated on Thursday, as reported by Kinnaur Deputy Commissioner Tarul S. Raveesh.

     

    To safeguard residents from further risks, the authorities have closed all schools in the Nichar subdivision and Sangla tehsil for three days due to the incessant downpour. A high alert has been issued in the district until July 25, and people have been advised to stay indoors and remain vigilant.

     

    The monsoon’s onset in Himachal Pradesh on June 24 brought severe repercussions, with 131 lives lost in rain-related incidents, including landslides, flash floods, and road accidents, as reported by the Himachal Pradesh State Emergency Response Centre. The state has incurred a staggering loss of ₹4,985 crore due to the destructive forces of nature.

     

    The local meteorological office has warned of heavy rains at isolated places until July 24, with a potential for low to moderate flash flood risk in Chamba, Mandi, Kullu, Shimla, and Sirmaur districts.

     

    The torrential rains led to a cloudburst, causing the water level in Broni Nallah to rise significantly and inundate the Shimla-Kinnaur National Highway-5 between Rampur and Jhakri. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has initiated efforts to reopen the road for vehicular movement amidst the devastation. Additionally, reports of floods damaging land in Narkanda are emerging.

     

    The state is grappling with extensive road blockages, as around 676 roads remain closed for vehicular movement due to continuous heavy rainfall.

     

    The havoc wreaked by the floods has caused substantial damage to properties, with 578 houses completely destroyed and 4,973 partially damaged. Among the affected properties are 233 shops and 1,463 cowsheds, further exacerbating the overall impact of the disaster in the state.