Bhubaneswar, Oct 5: An Odia Army Jawan is among the 23 Army personnel who who went missing in flash floods caused by a sudden cloudburst in 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. He served as a havildar in the Indian Army. He had been recruited in the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME) wing of the Indian army in 2012.
Also Read: Centre should declare Sikkim, Himachal tragedies as national disasters: Kharge.
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 locality. Family members are praying that he is alive and will be rescued soon.
On the other hand, the death toll in Sikkim flash floods has risen to 5 while the 23 Army jawans still remain missing.
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 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.
