Sikkim: Houses stand half-submerged in the Flooded Teesta river in North Sikkim on October 4, 2023. An unexpected cloudburst over Lhonak Lake triggered a swift flood in the Teesta River, affecting Lachen valley. (Photo: IANS/Avijit Saha)
Death toll rises to 18; 96 still missing
Gangtok, October 5 (MExN): A day after disaster struck the Himalayan State, the Government of Sikkim (SoK) has constituted a high-level technical committee to carry out a detailed study of the incident, and devise a concrete road map for the future.
Subject experts, scientists, environmentalists, hydro power specialists, engineers, members of civil society, glaciologists, and dam experts would be members of the committee, informed an update by Information & Public Relations (IPR) Department, Government of Sikkim.
The committee was formed during a high level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Thursday to assess the situation and to discuss further preventive and supportive action, it said.
As per the update, the Chief Secretary VB Pathak also briefed the meeting about the steps being taken by the State Government in active coordination with the Army and all concerned agencies to undertake relief, rehabilitation and restoration works in the affected areas.
He also apprised the CM of the outcome of the National Crisis Management Committee meeting held on Wednesday with the Cabinet Secretary and Secretaries of concerned Ministries of the Central Government.
Ground situation reports were also presented by concerned Head of Departments and District Collectors at the Thursday meeting.
Accordingly, CM Tamang issued slew specific directives for immediate compliance including strict monitoring of hoarding of essential items and cancellation of licence of defaulters.
He also urged the officers to work in coordination and devise a systematic mechanism for rescue, relief, rehabilitation and restoration.
The CM also directed for setting up Grievance Counters at Rangpo, Singtam and Mangan initially. Later such counters will also be set up in other areas.
People at the relief camps who are under any medication will be provided with medicines free of cost, the CM said.
Any individual/ organisation/ NGOs /other agencies etc wanting to contributing relief in the form of cash can deposit in the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (Chief Minister Relief Fund, SISCO Bank, AC No 100134029100037; IFSC Code: IBKL0108SIC).
Meanwhile, as per an official update, at around 5:30 PM of Thursday, the death toll from the “cloudburst-induced” disaster in the early hours of October 4 has risen to 18.
A total of 98 are reported missing while 26 persons are injured, the Chief Secretary informed in a video update shared on official Facebook account of the Sok.
The ‘Cumulative Report’ compiled by the Government of Sikkim, at 10 PM on Wednesday had informed of 14 casualties, 102 missing persons and 26 injuries.
The natural calamity, declared a disaster by the State Government on October 4, had affected four districts – Gangtok ,Mangan, Pakyong and Nacmhi.
As per the report, a total of 11 bridges were washed away, while the National Highway-10 suffered extensive damage.
The NHPC dam in Gangtok district has been submerged, while Chungthang Sikkim Urja Dam, the biggest hydropower project in Sikkim, has been washed away, it added.
Indian Army, Sikkim Police set up helpline nos
A Sikkim Police control room has been made operational and for any support, information or assistance relating to the disaster, citizens can contact the HELPLINE numbers: landline: 03592-202892/03592-221152; Mobile 8001763383; Fax- 03592-202042 and '112' for emergency assistance.
The Indian Army has also set up a 24x7 Help Desks set up by Indian Army for all affected persons in Sikkim. The numbers are 8756991895 for East Sikkim and 8750887741for North Sikkim. The Army Helpline number for 22 missing army personnel is 7588302011.
Meanwhile, an update on X by the PRO Defence Gauhati informed that search and rescue operation by Indian Army for 22 missing soldiers continues under conditions of incessant rains and fast-flowing water in Teesta River. Out of 23 missing army personnel, one was rescued on Wednesday evening.
“The family members of the missing soldiers have been contacted and informed about the situation. All other Indian Army personnel posted in Sikkim and North Bengal are safe and they are unable to contact their family members due to disruptions of mobile communication,” it added.
Local advised against explosives
Meanwhile, Sikkim’s Land Revenue & Disaster Management Department in an advisory on Thursday informed the local population that explosives or ammunition etc may be found along the Teesta Basin.
Accordingly, it warned them against handling or picking such devices as they may “explode and cause grievous injuries.”
“On sight of such devices, it may be brought to the notice of the District Collectors or the State Emergency Operations Centre (03592/201145/202461/205256),” the advisory added.
Schools shut till Oct 15, tourists advised to postpone visits
Meanwhile, a notification for the Education department stated that all educational institutions in Sikkim shall remain closed till October 15 due to the prevailing inclement weather.
The Tourism & Civil Aviation Department also advised all the tourists planning to visit Sikkim are advised to postpone their travel to a later dates.
Further, it requested those stranded in Mangan District not to panic as the State Government has assured to extend all possible help and support in evacuation process starting from October 6.
All the tourists stranded at Lachung and Lachen areas are safe and nothing adverse has so far been reported, it added.
During the day, the district administration of Gangtok also denied rumours that a crack has developed at Dikchu dam and requested citizen not to believe in any hearsay or rumour.
The administration is closely monitoring the situation in all affected areas,” it added.
