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Sikkim: 176 Civilians Evacuated, Says IAF

By LokMarg 11th October 2023

The Indian Air Force evacuated 176 survivors on Tuesday, including 16 foreign nationals from the flood-hit state, an IAF official said.

The IAF also air-landed 9400 kg of relief material in the state, an official said.

The Indian Air Force has positioned its Mi-17 V5, CH-47 Chinooks, and Cheetah helicopters as part of the relief efforts in the flood-hit Sikkim to evacuate those stranded in remote areas and to drop essential supplies to areas that have been cut off, as per the IAF officials.

Sikkim suffered significant disruptions due to the recent flash floods that inflicted damage on footbridges, roads, and other infrastructure.

Amid the catastrophe in the northeastern state of Sikkim, following the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in South Lhonak Lake creating havoc across the Teesta basin in Sikkim and North Bengal, a total of 523 tourists were left stranded in the Lachen village out of which, two suffered casualties, an official said on Tuesday.

“The situation in Lachen is too bad. Two people suffered casualties, the rest are safe…Due to the disconnectivity of the road, we can’t travel…I would like to tell the tourists and their relatives to not worry since as per the state and central government’s directions, most of them have been airlifted with the help of the army”, said Samdup Lepcha, MLA, Lachen (Mangan) constituency. (ANI)

Cabinet Secretary Reviews Situation In Sikkim; Assures All Possible Support

By LokMarg 9th October 2023

Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba on Monday reviewed the situation in Sikkim and assured all possible support and assistance for the state.

Gauba made the direction while chairing the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) meeting attended by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, Chief Secretary of Sikkim, Secretary Road Transport and Highways, Secretary Military Affairs, Member Secretary, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Director General of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), DG India Meteorological Department (IMD), senior officers from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Defence among others.

Reviewing relief and rescue measures, the Cabinet Secretary emphasized that the evacuation of people in the shortest possible time should be the priority for the Government of Sikkim and central agencies and suggested launching Bailey Bridges.

“Bailey Bridges should be launched on priority to restore road connectivity for the people where bridges have been washed away,” a Cabinet Secretariat statement said quoting Gauba.

The Cabinet Secretary assured that “Central government shall provide all possible support and assistance for the state.”

In the meeting, the Home Secretary said that the situation is being monitored 24×7 by the Central government at the highest level and that the Inter-Ministerial Coordination Team (IMCT) has reached Sikkim to take stock of the situation.”

“Necessary additional central assistance is being released to the Government of Sikkim,” the Home Secretary said.

Sikkim Chief Secretary joined the meeting through video conferencing and informed that road connectivity has been established in most of the areas.

He further informed that as a result of improvement in weather conditions, it has become possible to start evacuation and airlifting of stranded people. “A total of 80 people have been evacuated this morning,” Sikkim Chief Secretary, adding “28 relief camps have been established and more than 6,800 people have taken shelter in them.”

“Further, all essential supplies including food items, medicines and LPG are being supplied in affected areas.”

Director General IMD informed the committee that the weather forecast is likely to “remain favourable from 11th to 13th October.”

The NDRF Director General briefed the Committee that six teams have been deployed in the state for rescue and relief operations. “Further, three reserve teams of NDRF are available on standby at Siliguri. An adequate number of teams and assets of Army and Air Force have been deployed to assist the state in rescue and restoration efforts.” (ANI)

Sikkim Flash Flood Death Toll Rises To 26

By LokMarg 7th October 2023

State Disaster Management Authority has said that the death toll from flash floods in Sikkim has reached 26 with 142 people still reported missing.

As per the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) report of October 6 at midnight, the death toll was registered at 26. It said 2413 people have been rescued, and 1203 houses have been damaged in the flash flood.

The glacial-fed Lhonak Lake in north Sikkim triggered a flash flood in Teesta river basin on October 4.

A total of 1173 houses were severely damaged. 2413 people were rescued and 26 persons were injured. Due to flash floods in the Teesta River basin, 13 bridges were washed away. A total of 6875 people are living in 22 relief camps. 25,065 people have been affected by the flood read the statement from Sikkim Disaster Management Authority.

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang chaired a high-level meeting at his official residence in Mintokgang on Friday yesterday evening. The meeting was attended by Director General of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Lt. Gen. Raghu Srinivasan, Chief Secretary of the Government of Sikkim, VB Pathak, DGP Sikkim, AK Singh, Deputy GOC of the 17 Mountain Division, DIG of ITBP, Chief Engineer of BRO, Swastik, Deputy Commandant ITBP, and senior officers of the State government and the Army.

In a statement the CM said the State Government, in collaboration with Sikkim Urja Limited, has formulated a special financial relief package for the disaster-stricken areas of the state.

“We have allocated a relief package of Rs 25 crore for Mangan District and Rs 15 crore each for the districts of Gangtok, Pakyong and Namchi. This allocation is in addition to the relief aid provided by both the state and the central government,” he said in the statement that has been posted on Facebook.

The Sikkim Government, he said will offer subsidies to those who transport essential commodities, vegetables, and other food items to our state. This measure aims to ensure that the additional expenses incurred due to longer travel routes do not inflate the selling prices for local residents.

CM Tamang has warned against stockpiling and overcharging of goods. “Those found in violation of these regulations will face the permanent revocation of their licenses,” the chief minister said.

The chief minister said that his government is committed to exploring all possible avenues to restore road and network connectivity in the severely affected regions of Mangan District, which are currently completely cut off from the rest of the state.

He said that priority was given to open the road connectivity up to Chungthang, while the road from Naga to Toong will be constructed subject to the availability of land as soon as possible.

He stated that in the face of the calamity that has ravaged several parts of the State while disrupting normal life, numerous officers, personnel from the National Disaster Management Authority and the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) and dedicated volunteers are tirelessly engaged in rescue and relief operations.

As per ITBP, the people evacuated safely, were totally cut off for last three days because of the deluge caused by a glacial lake outburst.

Taking to social media platform, X, ITBP said, “In the recent flash flood, 68 persons were stranded at the height of 16000 feet, totally cut off for the last 3 days in North Sikkim. #Himveers of ITBP rescue team, launched a massive rescue operation and evacuated all the 68 persons safely.”

According to Sikkim Chief secretary, as many as 3,000 people including tourists, drivers and motorcyclists have been stranded in Lachen and Lachung areas.

Due to the glacial lake outburst flood and flash floods, there was a sudden surge in flows in the Teesta River, which washed away several bridges, parts of NH-10, the Chungthang Dam and has impacted several small towns and several infrastructure projects in the upper reaches of the river valley in Sikkim.

The Sikkim government has set up 18 relief camps in Singtam, Rangpo, Dikchu and Adarsh Gaon which have faced most of the damages. However, due to a lack of connectivity with Chungthang, the relief camps there are being set up by the Indian Army and other paramilitaries. (ANI)

Sikkim: Trishakti Sappers, BRO Launch Massive Snow Clearing Ops

By LokMarg 25th March 2023

Braving intimidating altitudes and freezing temperatures, the Trishakti Sappers and Border Roads Organization (BRO) have launched a massive joint snow-clearing operation amid inhospitable weather conditions to clear the heavy snow in order to keep the strategic roads and communication lines open and facilitate movement of locals, military personnel and tourists.

Reportedly, Sikkim experiences extremely heavy winter snowfall every year. However, the snowfall pattern this year has been peculiar as the state witnessed late but concentrated snowfall.
“Snow clearance this year has been particularly challenging, considering the concentrated spells of snowfall, freezing any movement of civilians and army persons. Army Sappers deployed at altitudes ranging from 14,000-18,000 feet are relentlessly executing the snow clearance. These missions are not only benefiting the army but also the locals and tourists who are dependent heavily on the opening of roads,” said an Army official.

Troops of Trishakti Corps routinely rescue tourists stranded due to sudden snowfall. On March 11 & 15, major rescue missions were conducted by Trishakti Corps in East Sikkim under “Operation Himrahat”, wherein, 1,400 tourists stranded due to sudden snowfall were rescued to safety. As part of the ongoing operations, the Trishakti Sappers undertake the arduous and daunting task of snow clearance that involves manoeuvring through some of the highest passes in hostile terrain and sub-zero temperatures, as informed by the officials.

According to the officials, the roads and communication lines connecting the major towns, villages and forward areas get blocked due to heavy accumulation of snow and the Indian Army is working tirelessly to keep these important roads open to ensure connectivity all through the winters. (ANI)

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Situation In Sikkim, Arunachal Stable But Unpredictable: GOC Eastern Command

By LokMarg 27th January 2023

Amid India-China border tension, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) Eastern Command RP Kalita on Friday said that the situation in both Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh is stable now but unpredictable because of the boundary issue.

The Eastern Command takes care of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim sectors.
Addressing a press conference, GOC-in-C Eastern Command Kalita said, “There are different perceptions about LAC which leads to friction, however, the situation in both Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh is stable now but unpredictable because of the absence of delineation of borders.”

He further said that India is continuously monitoring the activities that take place across the border and we are prepared to beat any kind of emerging challenges.

“Eastern Army is responsible for maintaining territorial integrity on eastern borders and the task has been executed by our units and formations with utmost professionalism and dedication. We are continuously evolving and aware of oncoming operational challenges,” said GOC-in-C Eastern Command.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had told in parliament that China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops tried to transgress the LAC in the Yangtse area of Tawang Sector in Arunachal Pradesh and unilaterally change the status quo but they went back to their locations due to timely intervention of Indian military commanders.

Talking about the increase of Chinese troops in India-China border areas, he said, “We have read that gradually there has been an increase in deployment of troops opposite our sectors along with infrastructure being carried out by People’s Liberation Army (PLA) across the down borders.”

GOC-in-C Eastern Command said that it is difficult to quantify the number of Chinese troops deployed in these areas.

“But we are continuously and closely monitoring the developments in these areas,” he added.

When asked about measures being taken to protect Siliguri Corridor, Kalita said, “Siliguri Corridor is geo-strategically extremely important to us. All our mechanisms are in place to ensure there are no disruptions in connectivity in the northeast.”

He further said that PLA started infrastructure development post-2017 Doklam issue within their own territory.

“On our side, to mirror those activities, infrastructure development has been carried out to ensure better response from us in case we’re required to do it,” he added.

He said that Arunachal Pradesh comprises seven valleys so movement is extremely difficult and it is difficult to make roadways.

When asked how it feels when the man in uniform is questioned over the operation and political leaders ask for proof, he said, “This is the national issue as well as a political issue so I would not like to comment much but this much I can say those who raising question they should trust the Indian Army and their operations.”

The GOC Eastern Command said, “The year gone by witnessed profound changes in geopolitical dynamics in the form of security and economic fallout from the Russia-Ukraine war, the gradual shift of power centre to the Indo-Pacific region that saw sudden key developments in our neighbourhood.” (ANI)

After Success Of Trials With J-K’s Help, Sikkim To Launch Saffron Cultivation

By LokMarg 28th September 2022

After the success of trials undertaken with the assistance of the Jammu and Kashmir administration, Sikkim is all set to start saffron cultivation this year and farmers are gearing up for it.
Sikkim University, Sikkim Government Horticulture Department, and the Agriculture Department of Jammu and Kashmir have joined hands to monitor saffron cultivation in the state.

The trial phase was undertaken under the supervision of Sikkim University, which has given enthusiastic results. Sikkim government has done a trial of saffron cultivation in various pockets of Sikkim like Yaksum and nearby areas in West Sikkim and Pangthang, Simik, Khamdong, Padamchen and surrounding areas in East Sikkim have been identified for further cultivation.

A high-level delegation from Sikkim also visited Jammu and Kashmir for an agreement and tie-up last July and then onwards all department officials are in touch to ensure production.

The Jammu and Kashmir Agriculture Department and the Horticulture Department of Sikkim have ensured a basic training program for farmers to know about yield and farming.

Officials said Kashmir’s Pampore and Sikkim’s Yangyang have the same weather and geographical conditions, which ensured good success rate during trials.

The Sikkim government cultivated saffron on around one and a half acres of farming land in different locations to see results, which have fantastic results, Sikkim Governor Ganga Prasad told ANI.

“Mission started in 2020 with a small piece of land under the monitoring of Sikkim University. After successful results, cultivation attempt made in a different part of State, which was also very successful,” said the Governor.

Governor Prasad also said that the success rate of saffron cultivation is around 80 percent, which is good.

“Sikkim has very supportive weather for saffron cultivation and it has all required,” he said.

He further said that they held several meetings with Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang and other officials in Raj Bhawan for discussion and expansion of saffron cultivation.

The Sikkim government is looking at it as a major move to boost growth and benefit farmers. Both Jammu and Kashmir have a specialty in saffron cultivation. (ANI)