At least 23 Indian Army personnel have gone missing after a flash flood in river Teesta in Sikkim’s Lachen valley on Tuesday night.
“Due to a sudden cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim, a flash flood occurred in Teesta River in Lachen Valley. Some Army establishments along the valley have been affected and efforts are on to confirm details. 23 personnel have been reported missing and some vehicles are reported submerged under the slush. Search operations are underway,” Defence PRO, Guwahati, said, ANI reported.
“Release of water from the Chungthang dam led to a sudden increase in water level up to 15-20 feet high downstream,” Defence PRO added. Army vehicles parked at Bardang near Singtam were swept away by the raging floodwaters.
The Sikkim administration has issued a high alert for the residents after a sudden rise in the river’s water on Tuesday. Videos recorded by locals showed a large section of a road near the Teesta river washed away by the raging waters.
“There has been significant damage to public property. Some people have also been reported missing in Singtam. Relief operations are going on,” said Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang said while on a visit to rain-affected Singtam.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the river water levels are rising constantly after a cloudburst over a lake in North Sikkim’s Chungthang. “A Lake of North Sikkim overflowed few hours ago causing concern in the catchment of River Teesta. Low lying areas such as Gazoldoba, Domohani, Mekhaliganj and Ghish may be affected. Please be alert,” it said.
Connectivity to Chungthang town in North Sikkim has also been affected after a bridge linking the town to its surrounding areas was damaged.
