Incessant rain, landslides hit West Sikkim; Yuksam remains cut off

Gangtok: Incessant rainfall and subsequent landslides have paralysed normal life in various parts of West Sikkim in the past few days, cutting off several areas including Yuksam. Meanwhile, rescue and relief operations are in progress.

Deputy Speaker Sangay Lepcha reached Yuksam sub-division and interacted with the rescue team and the affected people.

According to a press release issued by the West Sikkim district administration, a quick response team under the directions of DC Karma R Bonpo along with the disaster management district programme officer (DPO) Pempa Sherpa have been able to evacuate and provide relief to the victims affected by the natural calamity.

As informed by the West Sikkim DC, rescue and relief operations are already underway in several parts of Yuksam where the news of slug formation, washing out of roads due to mudslides, power supply being cut off and damages to water pipelines were reported.

“QRT team, KNP field staff, local youth, NGO members and NDRF team have reached the affected areas of Tsong village and have started evacuation and providing relief to the people,” said the release.

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The release further mentioned that the roads and bridges department has started the process of road clearance and restoration. The department of energy and power have confirmed that all power lines have been restored in the Yuksam Tashiding sub-division, except for Tsong village.

The West Sikkim DC has urged the public to remain calm and have faith in the district administration for providing relief at the earliest. He also informed that a relief camp has been set up at the tourism guest house in Yuksam where food and water will be supplied. Further, the recently built Yuksam OP would be used to cater to the victims brought in from Tsong village, informed West Sikkim SP Tenzing Loden Lepcha.

As reported by the disaster management DPO, all tourists in Yuksam are safe. An NDRF team, currently stationed at Yuksam for FAMEX programme, has also been engaged for the relief and rescue operations. He also informed that a woman was rescued on Wednesday evening and brought to the Yuksam primary health centre and is undergoing treatment. However, due to bad weather the emergency helicopter service to transfer the patient to the district hospital has not been possible.

In case of emergencies, contact +91-95939-73686 (DPO, disaster management).