Sikkim: 23 Army jawans missing due to a flash flood in the Teesta River of Lachen Valley

When a sudden cloud burst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim caused a flash flood in the Teesta River of the Lachen Valley, up to 23 army jawans were reported missing, according to officials. 23 army personnel have been reported missing as a result of a flash flood that happened in the Teesta River in Lachen Valley after a sudden cloud burst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim, according to the Defence Public Relations Officer (PRO) Guwahati.

The Gangtok District Administration provided details about the eruption, stating that the flash flood made its way through River Teesta, sweeping Indreni Bridge in Singtam town, about 30 kilometers from Gangtok. Around 4 am, a Balutar hamlet connecting bridge was also destroyed. In the early hours of Wednesday morning, a cloud burst caused nonstop monsoon rain to fall on South Lhonark Lake in North West Sikkim.

The Gangtok District Administration was informed that the River Teesta was being swept by the flash flood as it moved through Singtam town, about 30 kilometers from Gangtok. Around 4 am, another Balutar hamlet connecting bridge was also destroyed. The Teesta Stage 3 Dam is located in Chungthang town, about 90 kilometers north of Gangtok, according to information from the Mangan District Administration. The locals in the area have been evacuated due to the high alert.

“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.
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