Sikkim Government, through the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) and the Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department, has officially declared the damages caused by incessant rainfall in Mangan District from May 28 onwards as a “Disaster” under Section 22(2)(b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. This declaration, issued via Notification No. 115/SSDMA/LR&DMD/GoS/2025 dated June 2, 2025, comes in response to the extensive destruction and disruption caused by continuous heavy rains across the region.
From May 28, 2025, Mangan district has been battered by relentless rainfall, triggering multiple landslides and widespread devastation. The heavy downpours have resulted in the tragic loss of life, with three Indian Army personnel confirmed dead and six others missing after a landslide struck a military camp at Chhaten near Lachen on June 1. Similarly, in a separate incident, nine people remain missing after a tourist vehicle plunged into the Teesta River near Chubombu on May 29.
The disaster has also left approximately 1,678 tourists stranded in Lachung and Chungthang, with over 100 more still isolated in Lachen as of June 2. While evacuation efforts are ongoing, many access roads have been washed away or remain blocked by debris.
The region’s infrastructure has suffered severe damage, with multiple landslides disrupting road connectivity and isolating several communities. Bridges, including the Phidang Bridge in Dzongu and Sangkalang Bailey Bridge connecting Mangan to Chungthang, have been partially damaged by swollen rivers, while a section of the under-construction Sankalang Bridge was washed away.
As a result, 13 Gram Panchayat Units (GPUs) have been completely cut off, leaving entire villages without access to essential services.
Property and public infrastructure have also been heavily impacted, particularly in Theeng and Chungthang, where landslides have caused significant erosion and destruction of homes and roads.
The continuous rainfall has led to the collapse of several structures, further compounding the crisis. Essential services such as power supply and telecommunications have been severely disrupted, with restoration teams from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and utility companies working tirelessly to restore connectivity and services.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Mangan district, warning of continued heavy rainfall and the risk of further landslides and flooding. Authorities have urged residents to remain indoors and avoid riverbanks and vulnerable slopes.
In response, Sikkim administration is prioritizing the evacuation of stranded individuals, restoration of vital infrastructure, and provision of immediate relief measures. High-level coordination among state agencies is ongoing to mitigate the disaster’s impact and ensure the safety and well-being of affected residents and tourists.
