October 4, 2023: A flash flood washed away bridges and roads of Sikkim on Wednesday after the water levels of the Teesta River rose to an alarming level overnight due to cloudburst.

Reportedly, the cloudburst occurred over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim.

According to the Gangtok District Administration, “The flash flood made its way through River Teesta sweeping Indreni Bridge in Singtam town, some 30 kilometres from Gangtok. A connecting bridge of the Balutar hamlet was also swept away around 4 am”. Now, the Sikkim administration has issued a high alert to residents.

At least 23 army personnel went missing and some vehicles have also been submerged in the flash flood. A search operation has been launched immediately to trace the missing soldiers.