Search for 22 missing soldiers on, one rescued

Centre To Assess Damage To Hydropower Plants In Sikkim After Flood Water Recedes: Power Minister

Agencies, Gangtok, 5 October 2023: The central government will make a detailed assessment of damage to hydropower projects in Sikkim after the flood water recedes, the Ministry of Power said on Thursday, PTI reported.

A search and rescue operation by Indian Army for 22 missing soldiers has continued after a cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in north Sikkim triggered a flash flood in the Teesta River basin.  

One of the 23 missing army personnel was later found. The flash flood, which began at approximately 1:30 AM, was aggravated by the release of water from the Chungthang dam. Gangtok Sub-Divisional Magistrate Mahendra Chettri reported, "Five bodies have been recovered from the Golitar and Singtam region." In addition to the 22 army personnel, 47 civilians have gone missing. Fortunately, 166 individuals, including the rescued army member, have been successfully evacuated.

According to Defence Spokesperson Lt Col Mahendra Rawat, the rescued soldier's health condition is stable, PTI reported. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi contacted Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Wednesday to evaluate the state's situation and provide comprehensive support in response to the crisis. The Sikkim government declared the natural disaster a state of calamity through an official notification.

According to reports received from a defence official, Troops of Trishakti Corps are extending medical aid and telephone connectivity to civilians and tourists stranded in the areas of Chungthang, Lachung and Lachen in North Sikkim. 

The official emphasised that search operations for the missing personnel, who were caught in the deluge, remain a top priority for the Indian Army. Focused efforts are being made to retrieve vehicles submerged under a slush near Singtam, particularly in the Burdang area.

The search area has now been expanded downstream along the Teesta River. While twenty-three persons were missing initially, one individual was successfully rescued alive on the evening of October 4th.