The disaster, which took place on Wednesday, has affected more than 22,000 people, according to the authorities, and 22 army personnel are among the missing. 

“23 warriors of #IndianArmy are reported missing during the flash flood in Teesta River caused by 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗯𝘂𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱 in #sikkim. Troops of #TrishaktiCorps Indian Army are undertaking extensive search & rescue operation for the missing persons,” Indian Army wrote on X.

“Families of the missing persons have been informed. All #IndianArmy persons deployed in the affected areas are safe. One Soldier has been rescued; his condition is stable. Meanwhile massive rescue efforts continue 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗲 inclement weather and heavy rains,” it added.

The disaster has also left over 3,000 tourists stranded after the floods washed away the main highways and bridges, according to local sources.

The catastrophic overflow of Lhonak Lake took place after five times the usual amount of rain fell on the state during a cloudburst, causing a dam to partially collapse in the Teesta valley, close to the border with China. Video footage showed the muddy flood waters surging into built-up areas, causing houses to collapse and submerging army bases.

Rescue operations are underway, but authorities warned that the task would be challenging as more rain was forecast in coming days and mobile and phone lines continued to be down. (ILKHA)