New Delhi, October 5: At least 14 people have died and over 100 others, including 22 army personnel, have been missing after a cloudburst in Sikkim triggered flash floods in the Teesta River basin on Wednesday, October 4. Several towns, including Dikchu, Singtam, and Rangpo located in the Teesta basin, have also been flooded with the upsurge in the river.

Over 3,000 tourists are reported to be stranded in different parts of Sikkim while some 166 people have so far been rescued, including the army man. Sikkim Floods: 14 Dead, 102 Missing, Over 3,000 Tourists Feared To Be Stranded in Different Parts of State After Sudden Cloudburst Triggers Massive Flash Flood in Teesta River.

What is Cloudburst?

A cloudburst is the maximum volume of precipitation in a small duration of time. It is occasionally accompanied by hailstorms and thunder and is effective in creating floods. The aggressiveness in nature and the scale of destruction of rainfall are scary at times. However, Cloudbursts are difficult to predict as it occurs suddenly with a devastating force and thereby inflicts enormous losses due to inundation and erosion. Cloudbursts can be destructive on a large scale causing floods, landslides, and mudflows that create terrible losses in the life and livelihood of the masses. Cloud Burst in Sikkim: One of 23 Missing Soldiers Rescued As Flash Flood Wreaks Havoc in Teesta River, Search Operation Underway for Others.

How Cloudbursts Trigger Flash Flood?

Cloudburst is a brief, intense, and very concentrated rainfall. Thunderstorms are the most common cause of cloudbursts. A great quantity of water may build up at high elevations during these thunderstorms, and if the upward currents are weakened during this period, the water can all flow down at once which will result in flash floods.

Mountainous places are more prone to cloudbursts as the warm air currents of a thunderstorm tend to follow the upward slope of a mountain. Cloudbursts in mountainous places may lead to rapid and devastating floods.

Meanwhile, the south Lhonak lake outburst, which triggered a flash flood in the Teesta river basin in Sikkim, also resulted in the breach of the Chungthang dam, which is the largest hydropower project in the state.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 05, 2023 10:58 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).