GANGTOK, Sept 17 - Continuous rainfall in several parts of West Sikkim district has triggered a series of natural disasters in the last couple of days. A quick response team under the direction of the DC of West Sikkim, Karma R Bonpo, along with DPO (Disaster Management) Pempa Sherpa, has evacuated and provided relief to people affected by the natural calamities.
The DC of West Sikkim district said that relief and rescue operations have begun since Monday evening in parts of Yuksam subdivision where there are reports of roads getting washed away due to mudslips, disruption of power supply, and damage to water pipelines. The quick response team comprising revenue surveyor Yangchen Doma, KNP field staff, local youths, NGO members and NDRF personnel have reached the affected areas of Tsong village, and have started evacuation and other relief works.
Meanwhile, Assembly Deputy Speaker Sangay Lepcha has reached Yuksam subdivision and interacted with the rescue team and the affected public.
The Roads and Bridges Department has already started the works of road clearance and restoration. The Department of Energy and Power has confirmed that all power lines have been restored in the Yuksam Tashiding subdivision except at Tsong village.
The DC of West district has urged the public to remain calm and have faith in the district administration with regard to the relief works. He stated that a relief camp had been set up at the tourism guesthouse at Yuksam where food and water would be supplied. Further, the recently-built Yuksam OP will be used to cater to affected people brought in from Tsong village, the SP of West district, Tenzing Loden Lepcha, said.
The DPO (Disaster Management) said that all tourists in Yuksam are safe, and that NDRF personnel presently stationed at Yuksam for the FAMEX (familiarisation exercise) programme have also been engaged in the relief and rescue operations. He added that a woman was rescued and brought to the Yuksam Primary Health Centre for treatment last evening. However, the emergency helicopter service to transfer patients to the district hospital has been paralysed due to bad weather.
