Gangtok – In a remarkable display of resilience and unity, the Indian Army's Trishakti Corps, along with the Border Roads Organization (BRO), civil administration, and local communities, are undertaking massive operations to restore connectivity to North Sikkim.
This isolated region has been cut off from the mainstream since October 4, following a devastating Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) at Lhonak Lake, resulting in the breach of Teesta Dam III.
The primary focus of these efforts is to reopen the vital Mangan-Tung-Chungthang route, which has been severely affected by the disaster. Simultaneously, alternative routes, including Mangan-Sanklang-Theng-Chungthang, are being explored to provide essential connectivity to the isolated areas.
The BRO, in its immediate response to the crisis, has constructed footbridges and zip lines at critical junctures such as Chungthang and Sanklang-Mangan Crossing to facilitate the movement of people and resources.
Given the extensive damage to the main highway and other routes, the BRO has refrained from providing a specific deadline for the highway's full restoration. The colossal scale of the damage has posed unprecedented challenges to the restoration efforts.
The Lhonak GLOF on October 4 took the Teesta Dam III authorities by surprise, unleashing a massive torrent of floodwater and causing significant loss of life and property along the Teesta River. This incident has underscored the urgent need for swift and effective restoration of connectivity to the isolated regions of North Sikkim.
The entire nation watches with bated breath as these joint operations aim to reunite North Sikkim with the rest of the country, symbolizing the resilience and determination of the people in the face of adversity.
