Torrential rainfall across Sikkim has washed away a Bailey bridge in North Sikkim, triggered floods and landslides in several parts of the state, and disrupted road connectivity, leaving large areas cut off. The Bailey bridge over the Phee Khola at Phidang in Dzongu, Mangan district, was swept away late Saturday night after incessant rain caused the stream to swell. The bridge connected Phidang and Sankalang, and its collapse has effectively cut off the Dzongu constituency, affecting more than seven Gram Panchayat Units.
Panchayat member Sonam Lepcha said the bridge was washed away after the Phee Khola overflowed following continuous rainfall. Officials, including the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Mangan and local panchayat representatives, visited the site on Sunday to assess the damage. A detailed inspection is underway.
Elsewhere, heavy rainfall caused extensive damage in the Upper Kaw Khola area of Lingee under the Tumin-Lingee constituency. Floodwaters washed away another bridge and damaged approach roads, isolating several localities. Landslides have blocked the main roads in the Kaw area as well as the road connecting Lingee to Payong, bringing vehicular movement to a halt.
The swollen river also swept away the area’s main drinking water pipeline, disrupting water supply to residents. In the Teesta basin, rising river levels inundated stretches of National Highway-10 near the Sikkim–West Bengal border, affecting traffic movement along the key route connecting the Himalayan state with the rest of the country. The India Meteorological Department’s Meteorological Centre in Gangtok issued an Orange Warning on Sunday morning, forecasting light to moderate thunderstorms accompanied by moderate to heavy rainfall, with isolated spells of intense rain over Mangan, Gangtok, Pakyong, Gyalshing, Soreng and Namchi districts.
The weather office has advised residents to remain indoors during thunderstorms and warned of lightning, flash floods, landslides and waterlogging in low-lying areas. As of Sunday evening, no casualties had been reported. Authorities said they were closely monitoring the situation as persistent rainfall continued to raise the risk of further flooding and landslides across the state.
