Sikkim News: Sikkim Chief Secretary takes stock of flood damages

GANGTOK, Sept 30 – Sikkim Chief Secretary Karma Gyatso, Director General of Police Jasbir Singh and Secretary cum State Relief Commissioner, SBS Bhaduria visited Mangan, Chungthang and also made an arial survey of the landslide and flashflood affected areas of North district recently.

The damage was enormous in and around the area, especially along the access route from Gangtok to Mangan, Chungthang and towards Lachen and Lachung. Approximately 80 landslides were noticed by the team, sources said.
Chief Secretary held a meeting with the officers and staff of Chungthang Sub-Division , Army, BRO, members of panchayat and others and reviewed the situation. The availability of diesel and petrol was discussed at the meeting.
He directed Army and BRO to meet the requirement of petrol and diesel supply till further arrangements are made.
Regular power supply is expected to be restored in the area within 7-10 days, the source added. Concerned engineers are also working for restoration of the regular water supply within four days, he added.
4. Presently only mobile phone network is working and some of the areas hasno coverage and accordingly Chief Secretary directed the concerned for making availability of network in all the areas. Satellite phones have been provided in remote areas, the sources informed.
The Chief Secretary directed BRO to put all resources for opening of the roads for vehicular traffic at the earliest and temporary diversions be made for smaller vehicles. The road connecting Gangtok to North District headquarters Mangan is disrupted and would take three to four days to restore. The Chungthang- Lachen road may be opened in a week’s time, while the Chungthang-Lachung road may take more than three weeks to open, informed the sources.
The buffer food grains etc is available for at least a month. There is no shortage, he added.
He also directed district authority to carry out relief and rescue operations efficiently and to distribute Relief and Ex-Gratia to affected families.

Source: assamtribune