Rescue efforts continue in affected places in Sikkim; death toll stands at 37 and 78 still missing

In Sikkim, rescue, relief, and evacuation efforts continue in places affected by the recent disaster. So far, over 2500 people have been rescued and around 3500 have been evacuated. The death toll stands at 37 while 78 people are still missing. Over 3700 people are sheltered at relief camps.

 

At a press conference in Gangtok yesterday, secretary of Planning and development, Rinzing Chewang Bhutia informed that a temporary bamboo bridge constructed at Chungthang, North Sikkim, Mangan district, connecting to Pegong, which was damaged due to a rise in water levels of the Teesta river, has been restored. 

On Wednesday, water levels reportedly rose in Muguthang area due to rainfall in the higher reaches, and an alert was issued for people residing in low-lying areas.

 

Due to unfavorable weather conditions, air evacuation from Lachung and Lachen could not take place yesterday, but helicopter sorties provided relief materials in Chungthang.

 

Several labourers were evacuated from the



disaster-hit areas of Mangan district and transported to Siliguri, West Bengal. Pakyong district collector Tashi Chophel chaired a daily assessment meeting at the control room of the Rangpo Facilitation Centre to examine the status of rehabilitation efforts. It was informed that the public health engineering department is supplying water to relief camps around the clock and has installed six water hydrants in the IBM area to maintain acceptable levels of safe water and sanitation.

 

Currently, 60% of the 369 households in the IBM area have access to their homes. Two of the four lanes that connect the upper IBM area to the Teesta River bank area have been cleared. In Golitar, people can access their homes, and the lanes are cleared to the riverbank.

 

To maintain consistent petroleum product opening and closing balances, frequent fuel station inspections are being undertaken. The Indian Army also carried out an ammunition scan at the riverbanks of Rangpo, where ammunition was also diffused.