Gangtok: Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke to Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang Golay and inquired about the situation related to the flash floods triggered by a cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim late on Tuesday night.
The Prime Minister assured all possible support in addressing the challenge.
“Spoke to Sikkim CM Shri @PSTamangGolay and took stock of the situation in the wake of the unfortunate natural calamity in parts of the state. Assured all possible support in addressing the challenge. I pray for the safety and well-being of all those affected,” Modi said on X.
The Sikkim government has notified the flash floods in low-lying areas of Teesta river basin as a disaster.
Chief Secretary, Vijay Bhushan Pathak said the cloudburst induced water surge has caused extensive damages to life and property including breakdown of road networks and communications.
“Several important bridges connecting to the forward border areas and within Sikkim are washed away due to flash floods in Mangan, Gangtok, Pakyong and Namchi districts,” Pathak said.
As many as five people are dead and at least 23 Army personnel have been reported missing and 41 vehicles submerged under the slush.
At least 30 persons have also been reported missing in flash floods, even as authorities launched intensive search operations.
Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority Director, Prabhakar Rai said the exact number of people who have gone missing is yet to be confirmed. “As of now, we have confirmed reports of seven people going missing,” he said.
A defence official said the release of water from the Chungthang dam led to a sudden increase in water level upto 15-20 feet high downstream.
A substantial portion of the Chungthang hydro dam, the biggest hydropower project in Sikkim, has been washed away by the flood.
“The dam located at Chungthang got washed away in ten minutes just after 12 at midnight. A 200-meter-long bridge connecting the powerhouse has been washed away. The entire powerhouse has been submerged under water.” a power official said.
The Chungthang hydro dam is an integral part of the 1200 MW mega Teesta Stage III Hydro Electric Project, developed by Sikkim Urja Limited.
Dzongu in North Sikkim is now totally cut-off from the rest of Sikkim as the two main connecting bridges – Phidang bridge and Sangakhlang bridge and a steel bridge at Singtam in Gangtok district were washed away by the raging Teesta River.
The raging river water also swept away sections of the National Highway-10 in Melli, a border town of Sikkim-West Bengal.
The government has alerted people residing in the low-lying areas especially Sangkalang, Bringbong, Ohidang, Dikchu, Makha, Singtam, Rangpo and Melli to move towards safer locations.
The Chief Minister has visited the affected areas in Singtam on Wednesday morning and took stock of the situation. He met the people of Singtam Bazar and Golitar areas besides the affected citizens, and urged the people to stay alert and take shelter in safe locations for now and should ensure their safety first.
The Chief Minister told the affected people that the government is making all necessary arrangements for evacuation and safe rehabilitation.
