At least seven people have died and scores more were injured or missing after flash floods inundated Sikkim on Wednesday. The floods are believed to have been triggered after a lake, forming from the gradual melting of a Himalayan glacier, suddenly overflowed and inundated the Teesta river basin.
This destroyed the Chungthang dam, a key component of the State’s largest hydroelectric project, and washed away highways, villages, and towns. The worst affected districts were Mangan, Gangtok, Pakyong, and Namchi. Twenty-two Army personnel were among those reported missing.
Chief Minister PS Tamang visited Singtam to assess the damage caused by the flash flood. He also held a meeting with senior officials at the Singtam Nagar Panchayat office and asked them to keep vigil.
Several bridges in the State have been washed away, while drinking water supply lines are reported to be totally damaged, as per the SSDMA. All government and private schools in Pakyong, Gangtok, Namchi and Mangan districts have been ordered to remain closed till October 8, 2023.
(Follow for all live updates)