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A tragic turn of events struck Sikkim on October 4, as a cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in northern Sikkim unleashed a devastating flash flood in the Teesta River basin. The consequences have been dire, with at least fourteen lives lost, and a staggering 102 individuals missing, including 22 army personnel.
The aftermath of the Lhonak Lake outburst has also resulted in the breach of the Chungthang dam, a critical component of the State’s largest hydropower project.
The extent of the disaster has been far-reaching, affecting over 5,000 people residing in various villages. The situation has prompted calls for immediate action and a reevaluation of the government’s approach to handling ecologically fragile Himalayan States.
Congress Calls for National Disaster Declaration
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed deep concern over the dire situation in Sikkim. He called upon the Central government to declare both the Sikkim flash floods and the recent Himachal Pradesh floods as national disasters, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Mr. Kharge extended his heartfelt condolences to the grieving families who lost their loved ones in the Sikkim flash floods. He emphasized the gravity of the situation in Sikkim, where numerous lives have been lost, and brave army personnel remain missing due to the devastating effects of cloudburst and flash floods.
The situation remains precarious, demanding immediate attention and support to mitigate the ongoing crisis.
October 4
In the ongoing updates regarding the flash floods in Sikkim, there is a glimmer of hope as one soldier, among the 23 reported missing, has been successfully rescued. The search and rescue operations remain underway to locate the remaining missing Army personnel.
In a recent and alarming development, North Sikkim is grappling with a crisis as 23 Army personnel have been reported missing in the aftermath of a flash flood triggered by an unexpected cloud burst over Lhonak lake. This incident has spurred urgent and extensive search and rescue operations, with Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang taking a hands-on approach in overseeing the situation.
The Defence PRO based in Guwahati has issued a crucial statement, revealing, “Certain army facilities situated in the valley have been impacted, and exhaustive efforts are underway to ascertain further details. The distressing news is that 23 personnel are currently unaccounted for, and several military vehicles are believed to be submerged beneath the slush. Search operations are in full swing.” According to official sources, the flash flood event commenced around 1:30 am on Wednesday, as reported by the renowned news agency PTI.
The sudden release of water from the Chungthang dam has resulted in an abrupt surge in downstream water levels, reaching towering heights of 15-20 feet. This surge has dealt a significant blow to military vehicles stationed in the vicinity of Bardang, near Singtam. The situation remains highly fluid, with relentless efforts underway to locate and rescue the missing personnel, alongside comprehensive damage assessments. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing emergency.
