What are cloudbursts that led to flash floods in Sikkim, washing away 23 army men, killing 3 people?

Three people have died and 23 Indian Army personnel were washed away after a cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in north Sikkim resulted in a flash flood in the Teesta River basin on Wednesday. “Three bodies have been recovered from Singtam during rescue and relief efforts,” a Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) official said. The flood started around 1.30 am, officials said. What are cloudbursts? Cloudbursts are especially common in mountainous areas and are sudden, very heavy rainfall that are usually local in nature and are of brief duration.

#WATCH | Sikkim: Aftermath of flash floods in Singtam after a cloud burst. pic.twitter.com/jB460Lex4j

— ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2023

How do cloudbursts occur? Cloudbursts occur only via orographic lift - a situation when a warm air parcel mixes with cooler air, resulting in sudden condensation.

VIDEO | Flash floods, triggered by cloud burst, wreaks havoc in north Sikkim. pic.twitter.com/29zIHJG758

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 4, 2023

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20 people missing in Pakyong District As many as 20 people are missing, said Pakyong District Magistrate Tashi Chopel, adding that a lot of buildings and vehicles have been damaged by slush. “We have opened five relief camps in the district. 3,000-4,000 people were evacuated last night in and around Rangpo," said Chopel. The SSDMA said in the early hours of Wednesday the Teesta River basin witnessed rise in water level with very high velocities downstream following a cloudburst in portions of Lhonak Lake.

Visuals from Chungthang as flash floods triggered from cloud burst wreak havoc in Sikkim. pic.twitter.com/c8d9HdS8DZ

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 4, 2023

Several establishments in Mangan, Gangtok, Pakyong, and Namchi districts have been damaged. Steel bridge at Singtam washed away A steel bridge at Singtam, also known as Indreni bridge, in Gangtok district has been completely washed away by Teesta river water early on Wednesday. The 120-metre-cable suspension bridge is an important thoroughfare. The release of water from the Chungthang dam led to a sudden increase in water levels up to 15-20 feet high downstream. This has led to army vehicles parked at Bardang near Singtam getting affected, Defence spokesperson Lt. Col Mahendra Rawat said. As many as 41 vehicles submerged under the slush, Rawat said, adding that search operations are underway. All schools in the four districts of Sikkim have been ordered by the state education department to remain closed till 8 October. With inputs from agencies