As many as 23 army jawans have been reported missing after a flash flood occurred in the Teesta River of Lachen Valley due to a sudden cloud burst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim, said officials.
23 army personnel have been reported missing due to a flash flood that occurred in Teesta River in Lachen Valley after a sudden cloud burst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim: Defence PRO, Guwahati https://t.co/zDabUMrCaI pic.twitter.com/uWVO1nsT2T
— ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2023
The Defence Public Relations Officer (PRO) Guwahati informed about the incident on X and posted, “23 army personnel have been reported missing due to a flash flood that occurred in Teesta River in Lachen Valley after a sudden cloud burst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim.”
Giving information about the outburst, the Gangtok District Administration said, “The flash flood made its way through River Teesta sweeping Indreni Bridge in Singtam town, some 30 kilometres from Gangtok. A connecting bridge of the Balutar hamlet was also swept away around 4 am.”
flash flood at Muguthang in North Sikkim resulted in complete damage of two permanent bridges at Dikchu and Toong . Locals being rescued by BRO Karamyogis and rescue ops is under progress to save lives.@SpokespersonMoD @adgpi @BROindia pic.twitter.com/AfovOyq5gr
— PRO, Defence, Guwahati (@prodefgau) October 4, 2023
South Lhonark lake, situated in North West Sikkim, had seen a cloud burst causing incessant monsoon rainfall during the early hours of October 4 morning.
As per information from Mangan District Administration, Chungthang town, some 90 kilometres north of Gangtok, houses the Teesta Stage 3 Dam. Upon high alert, the local residents have been evacuated in the area.
“Similarly, the Teesta Stage 5 dam at Dikchu in Mangan district was opened up for water disbursement after a high alert. It is reported that the control room of the dam has been severely damaged,” they informed.
#WATCH | Sikkim: A flood-like situation arose in Singtam after a cloud burst.
(Video source: Central Water Commission) pic.twitter.com/00xJ0QX3ye
— ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2023
Many homes near the River Teesta, situated in Gangtok’s Singtam have been evacuated. Additionally, temporary relief facilities have been established in the town’s Singtam Senior Secondary School, added officials.
(with inputs from ANI)
