Sikkim Flash Floods: 10 Dead, 22 Armymen Among 82 Missing; PM Assures Support

[Spartan]

A cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in north Sikkim triggered a flash flood in the Teesta River basin on Wednesday, claiming at least ten lives while 82 others, including 22 army personnel went missing.

The flood in Sikkim that started around 1.30 am was made worse by the release of water from Chungthang dam, officials said. A steel bridge at Singtam, known as Indreni bridge, 30 km from the state capital Gangtok has been completely washed away by Teesta river water early Wednesday.

“Five bodies have been recovered from Golitar and Singtam region,” Gangtok Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Mahendra Chettri said.

Three of the dead were washed up in north Bengal, officials said.

Another official said besides army personnel, 26 civilians were also missing, while 45 people were rescued, including 18 injured.

[EyBisa]