Sikkim State Disaster Management Department has informed that 26 people were injured while over 100 including army personnel were reported in the tragedy that has struck the State. On Wednesday morning, cloudburst had triggered flash flood in Teesta river in the Lachen valley.
Several bridges, parts of NH-10, the Chungthang Dam have been washed away and several small towns and several infrastructure projects in the upper reaches of the river valley in Sikkim have been affected.
The Sikkim Government on Thursday advised all tourists planning to visit Sikkim to postpone their travel due to the situation. It also appealed stranded tourists in Mangan District to remain calm stating that evacuation process would be starting from 6th October 2023 subject to weather condition. It also informed that all tourists stranded at Lachung and Lachen areas were safe.
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Meanwhile on Friday, the Central assured all possible help to the Government of Sikkim. The Ministry of Home Affairs stated that the Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah has approved release of both the installments of Central Share of State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to Sikkim, amounting to Rs 44.80 crore in advance, for the year 2023-24, to help the State in providing relief measures to the affected people.
Further, to make an assessment of damages caused due to a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)/Cloud Burst /Flash floods, the Ministry has constituted an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT), which will visit the affected areas of the State shortly. Based on the assessment of IMCT, further additional Central assistance from National Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to Sikkim will be approved, as per laid down procedure, it said.
The ministry also informed that the situation in Sikkim is being closely monitored by the Centre at the highest level on 24×7 basis. The Central Government is providing full support to the Government of Sikkim by mobilizing timely logistics resources to supplement the efforts of the State Government to deal with the situation effectively, it stated.
The logistics support provided includes deployment of adequate teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF); Indian Air Force helicopters and Army personnel along with necessary search and rescue equipment. Further, technical teams of Ministries of Power, Telecommunications and Roads, Highways & Transport are assisting for timely restoration of damaged infrastructure and communication network in the State, the ministry informed.
