Kochi: A flash flood in the Teesta River in Lachen valley triggered by a cloud burst over Lhonak Lake in Sikkim claimed eight lives today, media reports said.
Twenty-three army personnel were among the 49 persons who were reported missing, the reports said.
Fortyone vehicles got stuck in the slush.
Release of water from the Chungthang dam added to the woes like washing away of Indreni steel bridge in Singtam in Gangtok.
The main highway connecting Sikkim to West Bengal was washed away, the reports said.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Sikkim chief minister P S Tamang Golay and took stock of the situation and assured all possible support.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed concern over the situation and promised all help to Sikkim.
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