GUWAHATI: Twenty-three Army personnel were reported missing after a flash flood, triggered by a cloudburst, in Sikkim.
A defence ministry statement said the flash flood occurred in the Teesta River in Lachen Valley due to a sudden cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim.
“Some army establishments along the valley have been affected and efforts are on to confirm details. Release of water from the Chungthang dam led to a sudden increase in water level upto 15-20 feet high downstream,” the statement said.
“This has led to Army vehicles parked at Bardang near Singtam getting affected. 23 personnel have been reported missing and some vehicles are reported submerged under the slush. Search operations are underway,” the statement added.
The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert warning of heavy rain in Gangtok, Gyalshing, Pakyong and Soreng districts for the next two days. A red alert for extremely heavy rainfall has been sounded in Mangan and Namchi districts.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appealed to people in the state’s northern reaches to “maintain maximal vigil” and assured that “all steps have been taken to evacuate people in the districts of Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri to safer places”.
Deeply concerned on getting the news of 23 soldiers missing after a flash flood in Sikkim which followed a cloudburst in the region. While expressing solidarity and promise of assistance from our government side if sought on this matter, I also urge all concerned in North Bengal…
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) October 4, 2023
