Authorities evacuate residents near Shako Cho Lake as it nears bursting point

The authorities in Sikkim have evacuated residents from the riverbelt near Shako Cho Lake, which is on the verge of bursting. An alert has been issued for the entire Golitar area in Singtam in Gangtok District, Dikchu area in Mangan District, and Rangpo IBM area in Pakyong District.

The district magistrate of Gangtok, Tushar Nikhare, said that the discharge from the lake is less so far, but the advisory for evacuation has been issued as a precautionary measure. Satellite data has shown an abnormal increase in the glacial temperature over Sako-chu, but if the temperature stabilises, there will be no issue. The authorities will reconfirm the situation at 7:30 AM on Friday.

However, the authorities have taken all precautionary measures, including the evacuation advisory, as any sudden discharge of water from the lake will be at an elevated level, over deposited debris, and can cause damage.