Death toll in Sikkim flash floods rises to 19

In Sikkim, death toll following devastating flash flood has mounted to 19. State Disaster Management Department has said 26 are injured while 103  are reported missing including army personel.

State Chief Secretary VB Pathak convened a series of meetings with the representatives of the Chamber of Commerce, Wholesale Retailers, Pharmacy Association, IOC Representatives, LPG dealers and distributors, petrol pump owners, and Taxi Drivers Association, at Tashiling Secretariat yesterday.

The Chief Secretary directed the NHIDCL to open the route for small and heavy vehicles through Lava and Reshi check posts at the earliest. ED, NHIDCL assured that the route will be cleared by this morning. The Transport Secretary was directed for route diversion for small and heavy vehicles after ensuring clearance of the route.

To keep the rates of the essential commodities unchanged, the State Government has decided not to levy SNT supervision charges on private vehicles carrying essential commodities through Rangpo, Reshi and Melli Check



Posts. If the SNT fleet is being used to transport essential commodities through the new route, the charges will be the same as that of the normal route. Keeping in view the burden of excess distance of about 100 km, the decision for subsidy has been taken.

In a press release NHIDCL  said that due to a Glacial cloud burst in Lhonak Lake in Mangan District of North Sikkim a lot of damage has occurred in Sikkim which include damage of houses and roads. The NH-10 at two locations near singtam hospital, the entire road is flooded with slush in approx  800 meter length. In order to restore the connectivity between Rangpo & Gangtok, 

NHIDCL has deployed 6 JCBs, 8 Tippers and one excavator at the site and NHIDCL contractor are working day and night to ensure restoration. The officers of NHIDCL are also deployed throughout the day to restore and to achieve progress speedily and it is expected that entire stretch from rangpo to ranipool will be restored within two days.