Sikkim death tolls 68

Sikkim death tolls 68
PIB

Sikkim Earthquake,18 Sep 2011

21 Sep,Gangtok: In Sikkim, the number of death toll in Sunday’s massive earthquake has now risen to 68 with a maximum of 51 deaths reported in the worst hit North district alone. 300 people who have suffered injuries in the earthquake are undergoing treatment in hospitals and rescue and relief operations are going on war footing in the affected places. Addressing a press conference in Gangtok this afternoon, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling said the state has suffered an estimated Rupees one lakh crores of damage in the wake of the unprecedented earthquake in the state that recorded 6.8 on the Richter scale. He said that the state will assess the actual extend of damage caused to the properties and infrastructure in the next ten days and seek a special package from the central government.

Shri Chamling said over 2000 houses have collapsed in different parts of the state and about one lakh houses have suffered damages. He said nine villages in the worst affected North district remained cut off from the rest of the state and supply of essential commodities have been rendered difficult. Power supply in most parts of the state except in the areas beyond Mangan, have been restored, but water supply to Gangtok city has been severely disrupted due to landslides. The Chief Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of those killed in the earthquake and Rs 50,000 to those seriously injured.

The Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to Government of India and the Army for their prompt action in launching rescue and relief operations and restoration of road commutation on National Highway 31‘A’. He added that the state government is well equipped and people are capable of dealing with any situation. In reply to a question the Chief Minister said Congress MP Rahul Gandhi visited Sikkim today to express his solidarity with the government and people of Sikkim in their hour of crisis and we are grateful to his visit. In reply to a question, Shri Chamling said hydro power projects have nothing to do with the damage caused by earthquake as it is a natural calamity. The Chief Minister said barring North Sikkim, tourists from outside can visit any part of the state during the upcoming tourist season beginning from October. (PIB)