Page 9 - Sikkim

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Army rescues 300 more tourists stranded due to landslides in North Sikkim

The Indian Army rescued 300 more tourists who were stranded in North Sikkim district due to landslides and roadblocks, an official statement said. The troops of Striking Lion Division, Trishakti Corps on Sunday assisted 300 stranded tourists at Chungthang in North Sikkim to cross over the temporary bridge for further move towards the state capital Gangtok, it said. The stranded tourists were provided food, resting place and medical comfort by the Army. On Saturday, the troops of the Trishakti Corps of the Indian Army assisted the Sikkim government in rescuing 3,500 tourists who were stranded in the North Sikkim district, the statement said. The North Sikkim District Collector (DC) Hem Kumar Chettri on Sunday said that no fresh permits will be issued to tourists to visit the picturesque district in view of weather-related vagaries and restoration works underway for roads damaged extensively due to landslides even as all stranded tourists have been rescued. The District Collector ..

Nearly 100 houses damaged as heavy rain triggers landslides in Sikkim

Torrential rain triggered multiple landslides in West Sikkim district, damaging nearly 100 houses and sweeping away bridges, officials said Sunday. The downpour caused flash floods along the upper reaches of College Khola Valley, causing maximum impact at Simphok, where a major bridge was swept away, they said. The Dentam Sub Division under Gyalshing district also bore the brunt of the landslides, as houses and roads were damaged, the officials said. Agricultural land and livestock have also been affected. A suspension bridge over College Khola at Lower Sapung has been washed away due to the mudslides, too, they said. Authorities provided immediate relief to those affected, the officials said, adding, restoration work of roads and bridges has been started.

All stranded tourists evacuated from Sikkim, no permit to be issued: DC

The North Sikkim District Collector (DC) Hem Kumar Chettri on Sunday said that no fresh permits will be issued to tourists to visit the picturesque district in view of weather-related vagaries and restoration works underway for roads damaged extensively due to landslides even as all 2,464 stranded tourists have been rescued. He said that the evacuation of all 2,464 tourists stranded following torrential downpour for three days was completed on Saturday evening. All tourists and 60 students of Namchi College have left for their respective destinations by vehicles arranged by the authorities, the North Sikkim DC said. He thanked the BRO, GREF, ITBP, Army and district officials for the successful evacuation of the tourists "We have decided to not issue fresh permits to the tourists to visit North Sikkim for the time being due to the restoration of roads underway between Mangan Chungthang," he told PTI over the phone. "Our immediate priority is to restore roads damaged due to landslid

LIVE: Army rescues over 3,500 stranded tourists from landslide-hit Sikkim

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Indian Army rescues over 3,500 stranded tourists from landslide-hit Sikkim

According to the release, heavy torrential rains were witnessed in Lachen, Lachung and Chungthang valleys on Friday

Over 2,400 tourists stranded in North Sikkim due to inclement weather

More than 2,400 tourists, including 60 college students were stranded in Lachen and Lachung area of North Sikkim district due to road blockades following incessant rainfall since the last three days, officials said on Saturday. The district administration has pressed into service 19 buses and 70 smaller vehicles to evacuate the 2,464 stranded tourists, officials said. As of now, three buses and two other vehicles carrying 123 tourists have left for the state capital Gangtok, they said. Personnel from Quick Reaction Team of the District Disaster Management Authority, Sikkim Police, GREF, BRO, ITBP, Army, Travel Agency Association Sikkim are working together to carry out evacuation of stranded tourists, they said. Meanwhile, the road to Chungthang has been blocked at numerous points. The restoration works will start only after the rain stops. The North Sikkim district administration has set up helpline numbers - 8509822997 /116464265 - for the public to contact in case of any query

2,000 tourists stranded in Sikkim as rainfall leads to road blockage

Over 2,000 domestic and foreign tourists were stranded in North Sikkim due to a road blockade following incessant rainfall since Thursday, officials said. The road from North Sikkim district headquarters Mangan to Chungthang has been blocked at Pegong Supply Khola, disrupting vehicular traffic, the officials said. As a result, 1,975 domestic and 36 foreign tourists were stranded at hotels in Lachen and Lachung areas considered gateways to various places with scenic beauty. Of the foreign tourists, 23 are from Bangladesh, 10 from the US and three from Singapore. As many as 345 four-wheelers and 11 motorbikes were also stuck at various places in North Sikkim, the officials said. The road clearance works will begin once the rain stops, they added.

3,000 tourists stuck as flash floods hit Sikkim's Pegong, NH10 blocked

The flash flood has caused severe damage to infrastructure along the highway, making it unsafe for any kind of vehicular movement, officials said

Sikkim CM Tamang urges people to plant trees, not leave any land barren

On the occasion of World Environment Day, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang asked people to plant trees on barren land. Addressing a gathering after planting an 'Arucha' sapling on a government college campus on Monday, he said people should try to mitigate the impact of climate change and global warming by planting more trees and ensuring that no land remained barren in the state. Tamang urged people to make the state government's 'Mero Rukh Mero Santati' (My Tree, My Offspring) scheme successful by planting 100 saplings every time a baby is born. He had launched the scheme in February to strengthen the bond between nature and people. Sikkim, located in the Eastern Himalayas, has one of the highest forest cover in the country at over 47 per cent of the land mass.

Sikkim's financial condition improved since SKM came to power in 2019: CM

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, better known as P S Golay, on Wednesday claimed that the financial condition of the Himalayan state has improved since his party Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) came to power in 2019. Addressing a function to celebrate the four years of his government, Golay said revenue collection has increased by 57 per cent since 2019. He said efforts were underway to further boost revenue without burdening the citizens through the adoption of strategic measures with transparency. "We all need to work with the spirit of 'Team Sikkim' to take the state on the path of progress and prosperity," he said, while seeking blessings from people to work for the development of the state. The programme was held four days after the actual date when the SKM came to power in Sikkim as Golay was in Delhi. The CM said he has taken up with Prime Minister Narendra Modi issues such as the reservation of assembly seats for tribal communities like Limbu and Tamang and the dema

Sikkim brings back 128 rescued students from violence-hit Manipur

A total of 128 students of Sikkim were rescued from violence-hit Manipur, and were being brought back to the state on Sunday, officials said. The stranded students were first brought to Kolkata on flights arranged by the state government from Imphal. From Kolkata, they boarded buses for Siliguri in northern West Bengal. From Siliguri, they will be brought to state capital Gangtok by SNT buses. A doctor from Sikkim, who was posted in a far-off area in Manipur, was also safely brought back, officials said. Chief Secretary VB Pathak led the 'Operation Gurans' to bring back the students. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang was constantly monitoring the situation, and took stock of the safety and security of the students, officials said. Sikkim worked with the Manipur government for the safe passage of the students from their respective hostels to the airport, they said. Sikkim extended gratitude to Manipur for ensuring the safe return of the students.

Sikkim CM urges his Manipur counterpart to take care of Sikkimeses people

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Friday spoke to his Manipur counterpart N Biren Singh and urged him to take care of the Sikkimese students and citizens staying in the state. Singh assured Tamang that the Manipur government will provide all possible assistance to the Sikkimese students and citizens in Manipur, the Sikkim CM said in a social media post. "I urge all Sikkimese citizens in Manipur to remain calm and carry an identification card with them at all times," Tamang said, adding that the Sikkimese people should take care of their safety and well-being and remain indoors or in a safe location. Tamang said he was constantly monitoring the situation in Manipur and will do everything possible to ensure the safety of Sikkimese students and citizens and requested the parents, guardians and relatives not to panic. Tamang said that Rameshwar Singh, Manipur MLA and the PRO, Chief Minister's Office, RM Pradhan are coordinating and monitoring the situation. They can be contac

Avalanches: Causes, types, risks, tips to follow during snowy cascades

This year has already seen an unfortunate share of avalanches and now JKDMA has warn for more in coming days; here's what to know about avalanches and safety measures that can be taken if one is stuck

Sikkimese feel betrayed as Article 371F violated: SDF chief Chamling

SDF supremo Pawan Kumar Chamling claimed that the Sikkimese people feel betrayed as Article 371F, which guarantees special provisions for Sikkim, was violated. The former chief minister, in a telephonic interview with PTI, also alleged Sikkim had become a hotbed for political violence and sought President's rule to ensure a free and fair election in 2024. According to Article 371F, only the descendants of Sikkim subjects (those who lived in the state before its merger with India) whose names were mentioned in the 1961 register are Sikkimese with rights to own land, get state government jobs. They were also exempted from paying income tax. But now, the Financial Bill, 2023 redefines Sikkimese as any Indian citizen domiciled in Sikkim, extending to them the same benefits as that of the original inhabitants whose forefathers' names were in the 1961 register, Chamling said. This violates Article 371F, which was the basis for the merger of Sikkim with India in 1975. People of Sikkim fee

East Sikkim district 9th most vulnerable to landslides in India: Report

Sikkim's East District, which witnessed a massive avalanche that claimed several lives on Tuesday, ranks ninth in landslide density and risk exposure among all districts in the country. According to the Landslide Atlas of India, released by ISRO's Hyderabad-based National Remote Sensing Centre, Sikkim witnessed 1,561 landslides between 2011 and 2017, with most falling in the category of event-based landslides triggered by earthquakes or heavy rainfall. Sikkim's South District ranks eighth across the country in terms of landslide density and risk exposure. "Himalayas and Western Ghats are highly susceptible to mass movements due to hilly topography and heavy rainfall," the Landslide Atlas of India said. The findings emerged from the latest risk assessment done by scientists from NRSC, which published the list as part of the Landslide Atlas of India. The team released a list of 147 most landslide-vulnerable districts in 17 states and two Union Territories. The East District had been

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7 tourists killed, 23 rescued in massive avalanche in Sikkim's Nathula

Six tourists were killed and 11 others injured in a major avalanche in Sikkim's Nathula area on Tuesday, police officials said here. The injured are being brought to the state capital Gangtok's hospital. "Rescue and clearance operations are still on," a senior police official here said. Nathula Pass is situated on the border with China and is a major tourist destination because of its scenic beauty.

Sikkim avalanche: Shah says govt closely monitoring, NDRF reaching spot

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday condoled the death of tourists in an avalanche in Sikkim and said the central government is closely monitoring the situation. At least seven tourists were killed as a massive avalanche hit Sikkim's Nathu La area on Tuesday morning, burying their vehicles under the snow. "My sincerest condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in the tragic avalanche in Sikkim. We are closely monitoring the situation and the teams of NDRF will reach the affected area soon. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured," Shah tweeted. The avalanche hit the arterial Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, which connects Gangtok to Nathu La at the China border around 11.30 am, trapping five-six vehicles with around 30 people under the snow, the Army said in a statement. Till 4 pm, seven bodies were brought out of the snow and 23 people were rescued alive, including six tourists from a deep valley, a state government official said, quoting reports from the

Aspirational population in Sikkim keen on innovation, digitisation: CM

Commerce and Industries MOS Som Prakash said there are more than 90,000 startups in India registered with DPIIT