23 Army men missing as cloudburst, floods hit Sikkim, North Bengal

About 23 Army personnel were reported missing and 41 Army vehicles buried in the slush after heavy rains and a flash flood occurred in the Teesta River in Lachen valley following a sudden cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in north Sikkim, an Army statement released from Kolkata said. It said that some Army establishments along the Lachen valley had been affected and efforts were on to confirm details.

- SUPROTIM MUKHERJEE

The cloudburst and the release of water from the Chungthang dam which is now reported to have sustained heavy damage, led to a sudden increase in the water level up to 15-20 feet downstream. Reports later said that the Chungthang dam had been breached due to the pressure of the water.

This has led to Army vehicles parked at Bardang near Singtam getting affected. 

The Army statement said 23 personnel were reported missing and 41 vehicles were reported submerged under the slush. Search operations are underway, it added.

As the water rushed down the Teesta, flash floods hit Kalimpong district in West Bengal and washed away houses and large portions of National Highway 10 which is the lifeline between Sikkim and North Bengal. Local administration is fearing loss of civilian lives as well.