Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has blamed “inferior construction” by the previous state government for the destruction of the Chungthang Dam – a 1200 MW hydroelectric project washed away Wednesday in flash floods triggered by a glacial lake outburst over South Lhonak Lake.

Mr Tamang told NDTV “sub-standard” construction by the Sikkim Democratic Front government led by ex-Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling, who was in power for over 24 years, for the tragedy.

“Dam is damaged… fully washed out. The disaster in the state’s lower belt is because of this,” Mr Tamang told NDTV.

At least 19 people, including six soldiers, have died in the Sikkim flash floods, and 103 people, including 16 soldiers, remain missing. Over 3,000 tourists are stranded, 2,500 people have been evacuated and 6,000 have been moved to relief camp.