Key bridge washed away in Sikkim, heavy rain triggers floods and landslides

Torrential rain has caused widespread flooding and landslides across Sikkim, washing away a key bailey bridge in Mangan district and disrupting road connectivity in several parts of the state.

The bridge over the Phee Khola stream, which connected Phidang and Sankalang, was swept away late on Saturday after continuous rainfall caused the stream to overflow. The collapse has cut off the Dzongu constituency, affecting connectivity for more than seven Gram Panchayat units.

Officials, including the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Mangan and local panchayat representatives, visited the site on Sunday to assess the damage.

Heavy rainfall also caused extensive destruction in the Upper Kaw Khola area of Lingee under the Tumin-Lingee constituency. Floodwaters washed away another bridge, damaged access roads, and isolated several communities.

Landslides blocked the main roads in the Kaw area and the road linking Lingee to Payong, bringing traffic to a halt. The swollen river also destroyed the area's main drinking water pipeline, disrupting the water supply.

Rising water levels in the Teesta River inundated sections of National Highway-10 near the Sikkim-West Bengal border, further affecting transport.

The India Meteorological Department issued an orange alert for several districts, including Mangan, Gangtok, Pakyong, Gyalshing, Soreng, and Namchi, forecasting thunderstorms and moderate to heavy rainfall with isolated intense spells.

The weather office advised residents to remain indoors during thunderstorms and warned of lightning, waterlogging, flash floods, and landslides.

Authorities said no deaths had been reported as of Sunday evening, while officials continued to monitor the situation amid persistent rainfall.