At least 14 dead, over 100 missing as cloudburst-led disaster wreaks havoc in Sikkim flash floods

As many as 14 people died and 120 others, including 22 army personnel, went missing after flash floods wreaked havoc in Sikkim on Wednesday. According to officials, a cloudburst over Lhonak Lake led to the flash flood in the Teesta River basin which eventually turned into a fatal disaster. The flood in Sikkim that started around 1.30 am was made worse by the release of water from Chungthang dam, they added. They further stated that around 200 people have been rescued so far, including an army soldier. 

The release of water from the Chungthang dam led to a sudden increase in water levels up to 15-20 feet high downstream. Meanwhile, Defence officials said establishments along the valley have been affected. Earlier on Wednesday, A steel bridge at Singtam, also known as Indreni bridge, in Gangtok district has been



completely washed away by Teesta river water. The 120-metre-cable suspension bridge is a very important route over the Teesta River.

Following the disaster, Chief Minister PS Tamang visited Singtam to assess the damage caused by the flash flood in the Teesta River basin. He also held a meeting with senior officials at the Singtam Nagar Panchayat office and asked them to keep vigil. "Emergency services have been mobilized to the affected areas, and I personally visited Singtam to assess the damages and engage with the local community," he wrote on 'X' (formerly known as Twitter). The Chief Minister also urged all our citizens to remain vigilant and refrain from unnecessary travel during this critical time. "It is essential that we maintain composure and hope for a swift return to normalcy in our region," CM Tamang added.