On Tuesday night, 23 Army members were reported missing due to a flash flood in the Teesta river, situated in Sikkim’s Lachen valley, according to officials.
The flood’s origin can be traced back to an abrupt cloudburst over the Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim. This resulted in a rapid surge in the Teesta’s water levels. The situation was further aggravated when water was discharged from the Chungthang dam, leading to a rise in water levels by 15-20 feet downstream.
The violent floodwaters claimed several Army vehicles stationed at Bardang near Singtam. Efforts are currently being made to find the missing personnel.
Several Army facilities in the Lachen valley have been damaged by the flash flood. Initiatives are underway to determine the full scope of the destruction.
Due to the river’s overflow, the Singtham footbridge over the Teesta gave way. The flash flood also resulted in parts of National Highway 10, linking West Bengal and Sikkim, being eroded. Numerous roads have become impassable or obstructed due to the flood’s aftermath.
In response to the crisis, the Sikkim government has issued a high alert across the state, advising residents to keep a safe distance from the Teesta river. Meanwhile, the Jalpaiguri administration in West Bengal is proactively evacuating inhabitants from the river’s lower basin as a safety measure.
It’s worth noting that only in June earlier this year, the North Sikkim district was hit by a catastrophic flash flood resulting from intense monsoon showers. The flood’s impact was especially felt in the Pegong region, which led to the total shutdown of NH10 and caused substantial infrastructural damage, making it perilous for vehicles. This heavy rainfall caused rivers in proximity, like those in Lachen and Lachung, to overflow, disconnecting these regions from the remainder of the state.
