Bardang, Sikkim - At least 23 Army officers have been reported as unaccounted for following a flash flood in North Sikkim, which was triggered by a sudden cloudburst. The flash flood in the Teesta River, situated in Lachen valley, resulted from an abrupt cloudburst occurrence over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim.

Several Army facilities along the valley have been impacted, and ongoing efforts are being made to ascertain further details. This incident reportedly transpired around 1:30 am.

Sikkim's Chief Minister, Prem Singh Tamang, also assessed the situation after the flash flood struck Singtam. According to sources, the abrupt release of water from the Chungthang dam resulted in a significant increase in water levels, reaching heights of 15-20 feet downstream.

Consequently, Army vehicles stationed near Singtam, specifically at Bardang, have been affected. Alongside the 23 missing soldiers, approximately 41 Army vehicles have become submerged in the slush. Search and rescue operations are currently in progress.

However, the Army faces operational difficulties in conducting these rescue operations due to the limited internet connectivity in the region. Officers at the command level are encountering challenges in establishing communication with personnel on the ground. Nonetheless, concerted efforts are underway to locate and rescue the missing individuals.