23 Army Jawans Missing in Sikkim After Cloudburst Causes Flash Flood

Gangtok: Twenty-three personnel of the Indian Army are missing in a flash flood in the Teesta river caused after a cloudburst in Sikkim. According to Indian Army’s Eastern Command, some establishments along Lachen Valley have been affected by the flash flood.

A massive search is on to locate the missing soldiers.

A statement by the Army stated, “Release of water from the Chungthang dam led to a sudden increase in water level upto 15-20 feet high downstream. This has led to Army vehicles parked at Bardang near Singtam getting affected. 23 personnel have been reported missing and some vehicles are reported submerged under the slush. Search operations are underway,” A cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in north Sikkim caused it to overflow and pushed up the water levels in Teesta river. The Teesta river flows through Sikkim and West Bengal before entering Bangladesh.