The flood was caused by the sudden eruption of glaciers, which led to overflowing of Lonhak Lake and Teesta River in Lachen Valley, experts said.
According to the state disaster control agency, the water level in the tributaries rose at a rate of 15 meters per second.
Additionally, this disaster led to the failure of Chungthang Dam, the state’s largest hydroelectric project, resulting in water levels as high as 15 to 20 feet downstream.
Three teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are conducting the search efforts and two others are ready to support these operations.
The state also arranged for air transport of essential products and supplies for distribution to the people of Chungthang, Lachen and Lachung.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang about the situation, assured him of all possible support and wished for the safety and well-being of those affected.
Scientists are speculating on the possibility that the magnitude 6.2 earthquake that struck Nepal and the surrounding region two days ago was the trigger for the glacier eruption, a senior Central Commission official told the Press Trust of India (PTI) agency. of Water (CWC).
Satellite images released by the National Remote Sensing Center in Hyderabad showed that the area south of Lhonak Lake has shrunk by more than 100 hectares compared to its size on September 17.
The above suggests that the glacier eruption caused a flash flood in the Teesta river basin, the source said.
In the Indian state of Sikkim, Mangan, Gangtok, Pakyong and Namchi districts were worst hit, where road and communications networks were also disrupted, the state disaster management agency confirmed.
The Chungthang dam was washed away, as were two bridges in Minshithang, one in Zema, Ritchu and Sangkhalang, the state government said in a statement.
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