The Teesta River has reached the “danger level” point, marked at 298.4 meters, in the Khanitar district of East Sikkim, according to the Central Water Commission. Sikkim experienced a significant flash flood on Wednesday caused by a cloudburst, resulting in the Teesta River reaching the danger level.
The swollen river not only prompted concerns at the danger mark but also caused damage to sections of the Teesta Dam in Chungthang, the largest hydropower project in Sikkim. As per the Indian Army, the water flowing through the Chungthang dam led to a sudden increase of 15-20 feet in water level downstream. The raging river water also swept away sections of the National highway (NH-10) in Melli, a border town of Sikkim-West Bengal.
“No lives have been lost but there has been significant damage to public property. Some people have also been reported missing. Relief operations are going on,” Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang said while on a visit to Singtam.
It seems that the Chungthang Dam (Teesta III Hydropower project) on the Teesta has been breached this morning.
Scary visuals floating around. Civilians and army personnel are missing. Lots of immediate assistance and long term re-thinking required. #Sikkim #Teesta #Rivers pic.twitter.com/u3ajHy2h7r
— Siddharth Agarwal (@sidagarwal) October 4, 2023
