Odia Jawan among 23 soldiers missing in Sikkim flash floods

An Odia Jawan is reportedly among the 23 Army personnel who have been reported missing following a flash flood in the Teesta River of Lachen Valley due to a sudden cloud burst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim.

The missing Jawan has been identified as Saroj Kumar Dash of Kendudhipa under the Kamakhyanagar block of Dhenkanal district. Saroj was part of the Army team that has been reported missing. Even as search operations are underway, the news has shattered Saroj’s family back home.

The reports of his missing have spread a pall of gloom in the area. Family members are praying that he is alive and will be rescued soon.

"We came to know about the devastating Sikkim flood through news on TV. This left us worried as we could not reach our brother over the phone. His last call to us was at around 10 pm yesterday night. Later, we received a phone from his unit stating that he was among the 23 soldiers who have been missing. They assured us to be patient and said that the rescue operation was on," informed Saroj's brother Manoj over the phone.

"They are only assuring us that the rescue operation is on and asking us to have patience. He had last informed us that he had got a promotion and had been on a 15-day training," he added.

"He had married just 7 months back. Two months back, he had come home and later rejoined his duty," said an inconsolable Manoj trying to hold his eyes.

On the other hand, the death toll in Sikkim flash floods has risen to 5 while the 23 Army jawans still remain missing. Search operations are underway to locate the missing Army personnel. However, defence officials said intermittent rain and thunderstorms were hampering the efforts to rescue the soldiers who were washed away.

Earlier, Defence PRO Wing Commander Himanshu Tiwari had tweeted, “Twenty-three Army personnel are missing and 41 vehicles are stuck in the slush now. Relief and rescue efforts are underway after flash floods affected Lachen Valley in Sikkim.”

The flash flood has also caused damage to several Army establishments along the Lachen Valley. The Sikkim government has sounded a high alert in the state and asked people to stay away from the Teesta river. 

Meanwhile, PM Modi has spoken to Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang and took stock of the situation, and assured all possible support.