As many as 14 people have died and 102 people, including 22 Army personnel, are missing in the Sikkim flash flood that occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, the state government confirmed. The flash floods were due to the cloudburst that happened over the Lhonak Lake in north Sikkim causing it to overflow, triggering the Teesta river.As per a government official, 14 bridges have collapsed and more than 3000 tourists are feared stranded in different parts of the state. 12-14 workers working in the Teesta Stage 3 dam in Chungthang are still stranded in the tunnels of the dam.14 dead, 102 missing in Sikkim flash floodRead @ANI Story | https://t.co/BrqkfjJT1T#Sikkim #sikkimflood pic.twitter.com/XoYeEU2AXj— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) October 5, 2023 Details of Sikkim flash flood“There are 12-14 workers still stranded in the tunnels of the dam. Collectively across the State, 26 people have been reportedly injured and rushed to the hospitals. While 23 Army personnel in Bardang are still missing. They had a convoy vehicle which was parked adjacent to the highway which got submerged in the sludge,” Sikkim Chief Secretary VB Pathak.Explaining the details of the cloudburst Pathak said “The Lhonak lake received a cloud burst around 10:42 pm on Tuesday night. Thereafter the lake breached its embankment and made its course towards Teesta river. Soon different parts of the Teesta basin reported a rise in water, with particularly alarming levels in Chungthang where the Teesta Stage 3 dam was breached.”Sikkim government takes relief measuresThe State government has asked for three (3) extra platoons of the National Disaster Response Force, which the Central government has approved. There is one platoon of NDRF already in service in Rangpo and Singtam towns.One such upcoming platoon of NDRF will be airlifted to Chungthang for rescue operations. It is assumed that over 3,000 domestic and foreign tourists are stranded in the State currently. Similarly, food and civil supplies will be taken to Chungthang once the weather improves for air connectivity, as per the official reports. The State government has set up 18 relief camps in Singtam, Rangpo, Dikchu and Adarsh Gaon which have faced most of the damages. However, due to a lack of connectivity with Chungthang, the relief camps there are being set up by the Indian Army and other paramilitaries.
