Flooding in Sikkim: 23 soldiers are missing; search efforts are under way
A rapid cloud burst above Lhonak Lake in north Sikkim resulted in a flash flood in the Teesta river in the Lachen valley.
According to the Defence spokesperson in Guwahati, 23 Army men are missing at Bardang near Singtam following a flash flood in the Teesta river in the Lachen valley brought on by a sudden cloud burst over Lhonak Lake in north Sikkim. Search efforts are in progress.
“A flash flood occurred in the Teesta River in the Lachen valley due to a sudden cloud burst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim.” The Spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday that there have been some affected army establishments along the valley.
According to the statement, the Chungthang dam’s water release caused a sudden rise in water levels of up to 15-20 feet high downstream.
Army vehicles parked at Bardang near Singtam have been impacted as a result of this. Some vehicles are reportedly drowned under the slush, and 23 personnel have been reported missing.
The Central Water Commission reported that, “As reported and noticed throughout midnight of 4th October 2023, a Lake outburst in the portions of Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim caused rise in water levels with very high velocities near about 15m/sec, crossed CWC Melli FF site measuring 227m near about 3m above Danger Level at 0600am.”
“Simultaneous Flood Forecasts made at 0600 hours for 1400 hours for Bangladesh and India. At CWC Domohani FF Station, the river Teesta is flowing below the Warning Level. At 0600 hours, the water level is 84.83 meters, and the commission predicted that it would cross the warning level in 6 hours.
