A rapid cloud burst above Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim caused a flash flood in the Teesta River in Lachen valley on Wednesday, which was exacerbated by the release of water from a dam, officials said, washing away 23 army soldiers and submerging camps and vehicles.
According to reports, the flooding began at 1.30 am.
Defence officials said that businesses in the valley have been impacted, and investigations are ongoing to confirm their claims.
According to them, a sudden rise in water levels of up to 15-20 feet high was caused downstream by the opening of the Chungthang dam.
Army trucks parked at Bardang close to Singtam have been impacted as a result, according to Defence spokesperson Lt. Col. Mahendra Rawat.
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 begun rescue efforts, and according to defence sources, 80 villagers have already been successfully evacuated.
The Teesta River water entirely washed down a steel bridge at Singtam, also known as Indreni bridge, in the Gangtok region early on Wednesday.
The 120-meter cable suspension bridge across the Teesta river is a crucial route.
“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.
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.
With Inputs from PTI
