Sikkim landslide partially blocks Teesta and Chyakoong rivers; authorities issue helpline numbers

A massive landslide in Sikkim's Mangan district partially blocked the flow of the Teesta and Chyakoong rivers early Sunday, prompting authorities to step up monitoring and issue emergency helpline numbers for the public.

The landslide occurred in the Naga Forest area near Theng Tunnel in Chungthang subdivision, where a large portion of a hillside collapsed along a new road cutting on the Naga-Tosa Road. The debris fell near the confluence of the Teesta and Chyakoong rivers, leading to a partial obstruction of their flow.

Officials said there have been no reports of casualties or injuries so far. The extent of damage to property, if any, is still being assessed.

According to the latest ground assessment by police personnel at Chungthang and Theng, the flow of the Teesta River remains normal at present. Water levels at the Sankalang and Phidang observation posts are also within normal limits, although the water has turned muddy following the landslide.

Authorities said there is no immediate threat to downstream areas, but vulnerable locations in the lower belt have been alerted as a precaution.

Authorities step up monitoring

The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA), District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Police Control Room and field personnel are continuously monitoring the situation.

The local administration has been directed to keep a close watch on river levels and immediately report any unusual changes. Further updates are expected as ground assessments continue.

The SSDMA has urged people not to panic or circulate unverified videos, visuals or speculative claims related to the incident on social media.

People have also been asked to avoid venturing near the Teesta and Chyakoong riverbanks in the affected stretch until further assessments are completed.

Authorities have urged residents to immediately report any unusual changes in water flow, colour or level, or any other disaster-related incident, to the nearest DDMA office or the SSDMA helpline.

Emergency helpline numbers

The SSDMA and State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) can be contacted at:

03592-201145

03592-202461

03592-205256

District-specific emergency numbers:

DDMA Mangan: 03592-281007

DDMA Gangtok: 03592-204995

DDMA Namchi: 03595-263009

DDMA Gyalshing: 03595-250633

DDMA Soreng: 03595-291660

DDMA Pakyong: 03592-200024

The incident occurred during the intervening night of September 5 and 6. Authorities said monitoring will continue as officials assess the impact of the landslide and the condition of the affected river stretch.

With agency inputs