- Wednesday, February 26, 2025
At least eight people were reportedly killed in the natural disaster.
By: Shubham Ghosh
TWENTY-THREE personnel of the Indian Army were reportedly missing in the north-eastern Indian state of Sikkim after a massive cloudburst triggered flash floods in the region’s Teesta river. Sources in the army said a search operation was launched to locate the missing soldiers.
At least eight people were reportedly killed in the natural disaster.
The army’s Eastern Command issued a statement in which it was said that some establishments of the troops along Lachen Valley in Sikkim have been affected. It said release of water from the state’s Chungthang dam, a hydro-electric power project, led to a sudden rise in the water level up to 15 to 20 feet downstream. It hit some army vehicles at Bardang area in eastern Sikkim and 23 personnel went missing and more than 40 vehicles were submerged under the slush.
Sikkim, which borders China to its north, Bhutan to its east and Nepal to its west, has been receiving heavy rainfall of late. It recorded a heavy downpour on Tuesday (3) night. A cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in north Sikkim saw its water spilling into the Teesta river, pushing up the water level. The Teesta flows through Sikkim and its southern neighbouring state of West Bengal before entering Bangladesh.
The Sikkim administration issued a high alert to residents. Videos were shared online by local people showing roads washed away. The National Highway 10 going through the area was completely damaged, leaving several tourists stranded in Sikkim, a popular tourist destination.
The Border Road Organisation launched rescue operations and 80 people were evacuated when the latest news came, the defence officials said.
“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.
Sikkim’s chief minister PS Tamang visited Singtam to assess the damage caused by the flash flood in the Teesta river basin, he said.
He held a meeting with senior officials 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.
Mamata Banerjee, chief minister of Bengal, also sent some top officials to review the condition of Teesta river in spate in the state’s northern parts bordering Sikkim.
(With PTI inputs)
