Sikkim Cloudburst: 3 Dead, 23 Army Personnel Missing In Flash Floods. 7 Rescued In Singtam

Three persons died and 23 army personnel were washed away after a cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in north Sikkim resulted in a flash flood in the Teesta River basin.

At least three persons died and 23 army personnel were washed away on Wednesday due to a flash flood that occurred in Teesta River in Lachen Valley after a sudden cloud burst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim, as reported by the news agency PTI. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescued seven people from Sikkim's Singtam. NDRF's one team is deployed at Gangtok, and two teams are deployed in adjoining areas of Sikkim in West Bengal.

Some vehicles were reported submerged under the slush, the Army said in a statement. Following the cloudburst, some military installations in the valley were affected. Due to the release of water from Chungthang Dam, the water level suddenly rose to a height of 15-20downstream, due to which army vehicles parked at Bardang near Singtam were affected. Search operations are underway. 

Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang Takes Stock Of Situation

Amid the flood-like situation due to the cloudburst, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang took stock of the situation in Singtam.

Lot Of Buildings, Vehicles Damaged By Sludge, Around 20 People Missing: Pakyong DM Tashi Chopel

Speaking on the flash flood situation in Sikkim, Pakyong District Magistrate Tashi Chopel has said that a lot of buildings and vehicles have been damaged by sludge, and there are reports of loss of life.

Chopel said, "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 to be confirmed with them. 3000-4000 people were evacuated last night in and around Rangpo. We have opened 5 relief camps in the district," as quoted by ANI.

Earlier in the day, BJP leader Ugyen Tshering Gyatso Bhutia said that there has been no loss of life but public properties have been damaged in Singtam. "There has been no loss of life but public properties have been damaged in Singtam. There is information about some people missing. Efforts are underway to find them," Bhutia said, as quoted by the news agency ANI.

Several Properties Damaged, Request All Institutions To Support: BJP Sikkim Chief D.R. Thapa 

BJP state president D.R. Thapa has requested all institutions to support the state as several properties have been damaged due to the cloudburst. "Several properties have been damaged. I request all institutions to support Sikkim. I took stock of the situation in the morning and will do it again," Thapa said, as quoted by ANI.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Expresses 'Deep Concern' Over Sikkim Situation

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee expressed "deep concern" over the situation in Sikkim due to the cloudburst. Banerjee took to X and said, "Deeply concerned on getting the news of 23 soldiers missing after a flash flood in Sikkim which followed a cloudburst in the region. While expressing solidarity and promise of assistance from our government side if sought on this matter, I also urge all concerned in North Bengal to maintain maximal vigil in the current season to prevent disasters. Have already asked my Chief Secretary to coordinate disaster management preparedness measures asap. All steps have been taken to evacuate people in the districts of Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri to safer places. Senior ministers of the state and senior IAS officers have been rushed to North Bengal to oversee rescue and relief operations. Close vigil is being kept to ensure no loss of life in this grave calamity."