NEW DELHI October 05. 2023 (Saba) - At least five people were killed and dozens were missing, including 23 soldiers on Wednesday in northeastern India after heavy rains fell on a glacial lake, causing flash floods.
Agence France-Presse quoted the army in a statement as saying “Due to sudden heavy rains over Lake Lunak in northern Sikkim state, a sudden flood occurred in the Teesta River.” He added: “23 personnel were reported missing,” while some vehicles were submerged in water.
He confirmed that "searches are ongoing."
In addition to the missing soldiers, more than a dozen civilians were missing, according to the government.
The isolated mountainous state of Sikkim is located near India's borders with Nepal and China, and Lake Lunak extends at the bottom of a glacier near Mount Kangchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world.
The army explained that because a dam at the top of the lake emptied a quantity of water earlier, the water level in the Teesta River was 4.5 meters higher than its normal level.
H.H
resource : Saba
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