- Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Tamang himself was a part of the previous Sikkim Democratic Front government and had served as a minister during its tenure.
By: Shubham Ghosh
PREM Singh Tamang, the chief minister of the north-eastern Indian state of Sikkim, has made an explosive claim that “inferior construction” by the previous state government was responsible for the destruction of the Chungthang Dam — a 1200-megawatt hydroelectric project which was washed away on Wednesday (4) in a deadly flash flood triggered by a glacial lake outburst after heavy rain.
Speaking to India’s NDTV channel, Tamang accused the previous Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) government, which was in power in the state for more than two decades, for carrying out substandard work that resulted in the death of 22 lives so far. The calamity also caused huge destruction in terms of property and more than 100 people, including Indian Army personnel, were still missing.
“Dam is fully damaged… washed out. Disaster in the lower belt is because of this. Yes… there was a cloudburst and the Lhonak Lake burst… but, because of inferior and sub-standard construction by previous government, the dam broke and even more floods hit Lower Sikkim with violence,” he was quoted as saying by the channel.
Tamang, who was a member of the SDF before forming his own Sikkim Krantikari Morcha which is currently in power, also said that “major damage” had been reported from across the state which has three international borders to its east (Bhutan), west (Nepal) and north (China).
“Major damage in areas like the Chunthang Dam but do not know full extent because areas in Lower Sikkim are still cut-off. Roads have been washed out, bridges destroyed. 13 bridges over Teesta have been washed away,” Tamang added.
He also said that his government is working in tandem with the Narendra Modi government to airlift relief and rescue teams to the state but unfavourable weather conditions disrupted the relief operations on Thursday (5).
Several tourists were left stranded in the state as communication was completely ruined and Tamang said his government would rescue them first.
Speaking on rebuilding, Tamang said the government would set up a team of technical experts and proceed on the basis of the inputs they give. He called the disaster a “major” one.
The chief minister said he had spoken to prime minister Modi, home minister Amit Shah and defence minister Rajnath Singh and they had offered all possible support. Modi also posted on X saying he had spoken to Tamang and assured all possible help.
Shah on Friday (6) approved the release of Rs 44.8 crore (£4.4 million) as an advance amount from the central share of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to Sikkim to provide relief to flash floods-affected people. Following a directive from Shah, the home ministry has formed an inter-ministerial central team (IMCT), which will visit the affected areas of Sikkim soon to make an assessment of the damage caused due to a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), cloudburst and flash floods, according to an official statement.
The Sikkim government has also warned of another potential glacial lake outburst. The Shako Cho Lake near Lachen is at risk and authorities have started evacuating residents from the surrounding areas.
The government has also cautioned against “stray explosions” after the floods hit an army ammunition depot.
Two persons have reportedly died after being hit by explosives that were washed away in the floods.
