Gangtok, Oct 4: After the sudden rise of river Teesta, at least 150 houses have been damaged in the Industrial Belt (IBM) at Rangpo in Sikkim, and over 20 civilians are reportedly missing.

One body was discovered in the afternoon in the IBM area.

The incident occurred following the bursting of South Lhonak Lake on Tuesday night.

In most of the houses, the lower two floors have been submerged in the sediments and made redundant.

While make shift houses of labourers in the area were swept away with any vehicles being damaged. Collectively, 3000–4000 people were evacuated from Rangpo last night before 2 a.m.

NH 10 connecting Singtam and Rangpo has been cut off by sludge in the 21-mile area along the banks of the River Teesta, which is being cleared by NHIDCL.

While speaking to media persons, Pakyong District Magistrate Tashi Chopel said, “There have been some loss of lives while over 150 houses have been damaged in the IBM area in Rangpo. If we take the stretch between Singtam and Rangpo along NH 10 which falls under Pakyong district, around 150-200 houses could have been damaged by the flashflood. We are not certain about the casualties but 20 people are missing”.

He further informed that there is a seperate report of around 23 army personnel having gone missing from Bardang area between Singtam and Rangpo. While industries ranging from pharmaceutical to manufacturing units along the banks of River Teesta, the DM Pakyong informed no reports of damages have been received by the Pakyong district Magistrate.

Educational institutions Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology in Majhitar and Advanced Technical Training Centre in Bardang between Singtam and Rangpo also reported of flash flood entering the premises, with the first floors being inundated.

Around 300-400 people have reached relief camps so far; by evening, all the people from damaged houses will be taken to relief camps, according to Pakyong District Authorities.

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