Sikkim CM Tamang thanks Centre for "immediate funds" amid flash flood situation

CM Tamang asserted that the state and central governments are working together to restore normalcy in the state.

"We just had a meeting with MoS Home Ajay Kumar regarding the flash flood in the state. PM Modi, Union HM Amit Shah and the entire Central government are standing with the people of Sikkim. NDRF teams have been sent to rescue people," CM Tamang said while speaking to ANI in Gangtok.

He further said, "The state government and central government are working together to restore normalcy in the state. Power supply in some places has been restored and we are working with BRO and other departments as well. I want to thank the GoI for providing immediate funds to the Sikkim government."

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Kumar Mishra today held a meeting with CM Tamang to discuss the situation amid the flash floods in the state.

"Sikkim is facing a huge disaster and there has been a massive loss to road and infrastructure. PM Modi and Union HM Amit Shah have been in constant touch with CM Prem Singh Tamang," MoS Mishra told ANI after meeting with CM Tamang.

Mishra added, "We have constituted a team in which people from agriculture, roads, water and energy ministries are included. Officials from ITBP and NDRF are also sent here. Union HM Amit Shah has released funds for SDRF and has promised to provide all possible assistance to NDRF as well."

A statement issued by the Army today said that the Indian Army Corps of Signals has ensured timely restoration of civil cellular communications as part of continued assistance to stranded tourists at Chungthang, Lachung and Lachen, North Sikkim.

Most of the stranded tourists have been able to speak to their family back home, it added.

The statement also shared helpline numbers to contact if any emergency arises.

"Following numbers are available for any query - Emergency Operating Center(EOC)- Helpline Number 03592-202461/201145, 03592-284444 (Gangtok), 03595-263734 (Namchi), 03592-234538(Mangan), 03592-291936 (Pakyong), 8016747244 (Soreng), 03595-250888 (Gyalshing) and 7001911393 of Nodal Officer (for tourists) and 8101426284 of Assisant Director. For all Army Personnel - 9906200205 (Nodal Officer, Army), ITBP-03592-231340, SSB- 03592-251015, SDRF- 03592-220545, BRO- 03592-259208 and ARMY- 03592-202228," the statement added.

An Inter-Ministerial Central team comprising senior officers of five Ministries of the Centre, namely Agriculture, Road Transport and Highways, Jal Shakti, Energy and Finance will visit the State today to take stock of the ground situation, assess the damages and provide assistance wherever necessary, according to a statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The statement earlier said that Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) carried out a rescue operation right from October 3rd night itself and evacuated more than 175 persons, and they are running relief centres within their different camps. 40 persons were stranded in a totally cut-off area, they were rescued through highly dangerous terrain and evacuated through rough rivers through cables and ropes.

Further 6 persons were rescued, who were trapped on the other side of the dam tunnel. 68 persons were stranded at Zanak, which is 16,000 feet in height, and everyone was rescued safely and brought to the ITBP camp at Goma. Four stranded families were brought to Lachung BOP of ITBP and they are camping there.

As per the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) report of October 7 as of 10 am, the death toll was registered at 27 with 141 people still reported missing. It said 2413 people have been rescued, and 1203 houses have been damaged in the flash flood.

It further said that about 25,065 people have been disaster-affected so far and 6875 people have been shifted to relief camps. The Sikkim government has set up 22 relief camps.

The Lhonak glacier in the Sikkim Himalayas burst on October 3, breaching one side of the lake leading to the rise in the water levels in Teesta and inundating several areas of the state. (ANI)