14 Dead, 102 Missing Including 22 Jawans in Sikkim Flash Flood

Gangtok: At least 14 persons died and 102 others including 22 army personnel are missing after a cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in north Sikkim triggered flash floods in the Teesta River on Wednesday. All 14 deceased are civilians.

Over 3,000 tourists from different parts of the country are also stranded in various locations of Sikkim.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang assuring all possible support.

Injuries and persons missing have been reported from Chungthang in Mangan district, and Dikchu, Singtam in Gangtok district and Rangpo in Pakyong district.

Around 12-14 workers working in the Teesta Stage 3 dam in Chungthang are still stranded in the tunnels of the dam.

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.

Sikkim government has set up 18 relief camps in Singtam, Rangpo, Dikchu and Adarsh Gaon which have faced most of the damages.