GANGTOK, Oct 4:
At least eight people died and 69 others, including 22 army personnel, went missing today after a cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in north Sikkim triggered a flash flood in the Teesta River basin, officials said.
Three of the dead were washed up in north Bengal, they said.
The flood in Sikkim that started around 1.30 am was made worse by the release of water from Chungthang dam, the officials said.
“Five bodies have been recovered from Golitar and Singtam region,” Gangtok Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Mahendra Chettri said.
Another official said besides the 22 army personnel, 47 civilians were also missing, while 166 people have so far been rescued, including an armyman.
“The health condition of the rescued soldier is stable,” Defence Spokesperson Lt Col Mahendra Rawat said.
Bodies, including that of a child, were seen fished out from the flood plains of the Teesta river at Golitar in Singtam by rescue personnel, the officials said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Wednesday to take stock of the situation in the state, and assured him of all possible support.
“Spoke to Sikkim CM Shri @PSTamangGolay and took stock of the situation in the wake of the unfortunate natural calamity in parts of the state. Assured all possible support in addressing the challenge. I pray for the safety and well-being of all those affected,” Modi said on X.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also prayed for the well-being of the missing army personnel.
The Sikkim government, in a notification, said the natural calamity has been declared as a disaster.
The release of water from the Chungthang dam led to a sudden increase in water levels up to 15-20 feet high downstream, the defence spokesperson said.
“Twenty-two army personnel have been reported missing and 41 vehicles submerged under the slush,” he said. (PTI)
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