Picture : ANI / X
A sudden cloud burst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim has resulted in a flash flood in the Teesta River in Lachen valley which was compounded by the release of water from a dam, leading to 23 army personnel being washed away, camps and vehicles being submerged, officials said.
23 Army personnel are missing and 41 vehicles are stuck in the slush now. Relief and rescue efforts are underway after flash floods affected Lachen Valley in Sikkim,” says Wing Commander Himanshu Tiwari, PRO, Ministry of Defence, Kolkata told ANI
The floods started around 1.30 am, they said.
Defence officials said establishments along the valley have been affected and efforts are on to confirm details.
#WATCH | Sikkim: Aftermath of flash floods in Singtam after a cloud burst. pic.twitter.com/jB460Lex4j
— ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2023
The release of water from the Chungthang dam led to a sudden increase in water levels up to 15-20 feet high downstream, they said.
This has led to army vehicles parked at Bardang near Singtam getting affected, Defence spokesperson Lt. Col Mahendra Rawat said.
Twenty-three army personnel have been reported missing and 41 vehicles submerged under the slush, he said, adding that search operations are underway.
Border Road Organisation (BRO) has already launched rescue operations and 80 locals have been safely evacuated so far, the defence officials said.
#WATCH | Flash floods in Sikkim, Tashi Chopel, Pakyong District Magistrate says, “A lot of buildings and vehicles have been damaged by sludge. There are also reports of loss of lives, with around 20 people missing. We are also hearing about 23 casualties in the army, which needs… pic.twitter.com/VlDfZMrrBB
— ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2023
A steel bridge at Singtam, also known as Indreni bridge, in Gangtok district has been completely washed away by Teesta river water early on Wednesday.
The 120-metre-cable suspension bridge is a very important thoroughfare over the Teesta river.
“All the affected people of Singtam town have been taken to safe places and residents of Dikchu village along the river belt have been evacuated to a nearby school,” a Sikkim government official said.
Chief Minister PS Tamang visited Singtam to assess the damage caused by the flash flood in the Teesta river basin, he said. And later Tweeted
We are all aware of the recent natural calamity that has struck our state. Emergency services have been mobilized to the affected areas, and I personally visited Singtam to assess the damages and engage with the local community.
I humbly urge all our citizens to remain vigilant… pic.twitter.com/KHyylID2pR
— Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) (@PSTamangGolay) October 4, 2023
The CM held a meeting with senior officials at the Singtam Nagar Panchayat office and asked them to keep vigil, he said.
The government is actively working to address the challenges posed by the flooding and provide necessary support to those affected by the natural calamity, the official said.
The water level increased drastically overnight, affecting the Dam site of the 510 MV NHPC hydroelectric power project near Dikchu village, he added.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescued 7 persons from Sikkim’s Singtam where a cloudburst caused a flood-like situation. NDRF’s one team is deployed at Gangtok and two teams at adjoining areas of Sikkim in West Bengal: NDRF told ANI
