One soldier of 23 reported missing after a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst over the Lhona Lake in North Sikkim, has been rescued, the Army informed through a statement on Wednesday.
The Defence Public Relations Officer (PRO) Guwahati informed about the incident on X and posted, "23 army personnel have been reported missing due to a flash flood that occurred in Teesta River in Lachen Valley after a sudden cloud burst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim."
According to an official press release, the troops of the Trishakti Corps of the Indian Army provided assistance on the second day on Sunday to 300 stranded tourists.
"Troops of TrishaktiCorps continued assistance to stranded tourists at Chungthang, North Sikkim. On second day of the rescue effort, assistance provided to 300 stranded tourists who came down from Lachung & Lachen. Assistance to cross over the temporary bridge, food, place to rest and me
The water level of Brahmaputra River in Guwahati has risen up to warning level because of the incessant rainfall since past few days in various parts of Northeast India.
"Around 3500 tourists were stranded due to the landslides and washing away of a bridge near Chungthang in North Sikkim," Lt Col Mahendra Rawat Public Relations Officer, Defence said.
"Troops of Trishakti Corps, Indian Army and personnel of Border Roads Organisation swung into action and worked overnight in heavy rains and inclement weather to create a temporary crossing over the flash flood area to facilitate the rescue of tourists," the release stated.
According to the release, heavy torrential rains were witnessed in Lachen, Lachung and Chungthang valleys on Friday. As a result of this, approximately 500 tourists who were travelling to Lachung and Lachen Valley were stranded at Chungthang, due to landslides and road blocks en route.
Union Minister of Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju condoled the death of Indian Army personnel in a tragic road accident in North Sikkim involving an Army truck.
"Anguished to learn about the loss of lives of brave soldiers of the Indian Army in a road accident in Sikkim. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," Tweeted President Murmu.