EQ: Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department

EQ: Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department

EQ: Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department

28 Nov,Rangpo: An earthquake of 6.8 magnitude occurred on 18th of September 2011 at 6.11 p.m. IST with its epicenter in Sikkim-Nepal border Region. The focal depth of this earthquake was at 20kms (approx.) below the surface of the earth and was originated in the Kanchandzonga lineament area located within 27° 74′ North latitude and 88°113′ East longitude. A series of aftershocks were felt with the strongest having 5.3 magnitude at 6.42 p.m. on the same day. Sikkim falls under zone IV /V in the seismic zonation map of India. This is due to the movement along, the thrust or fault environment in Sikkim and the adjoining region. The major thrust/faults existing in the region are Main Boundary Thrust (MBT), main Central Thrust(MCT), Teesta lineament, Kanchandzonga lineament, Sikkip Thrust etc. Any energy created out of the volcanic activities in the Mid-oceanic ridges flowing along subsurface towards this region will try to, get released through these weak openings of rocks i.e., through thrust or faults which are generally termed as lineaments.

The earthquake of 18th September 2011 caused loss of 60 lives in Sikkim and damaged properties of the people in form of house collapse, loss of cattle and agricultural land due to landslides or flash floods etc. In the event of such, the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority headed by Hon’ble Chief Minister as Chairman’ called for a meeting and took information of the situation. North district of Sikkim was badly hit as it was closest to the epicenter followed by other districts where there were cases of loss of human life and damage to the property.
The SSDMA, through its State Executive Committee immediately started the rescue and relief works. National Disaster Rescue Force from Kolkata and other places were flown to different affected areas for rescue and relief works. Army, ITBP, Police and other forces, local public and NGO’s also joined the operation. The injured were brought to the hospitals and were given treatment. Road networks all over the state and in particularly Lachung, Lachen and Dzongu of North districts were badly damaged. There was absolute failure of communication network. Power failed, water supply was disrupted. Lots of official buildings were damaged including the main Secretariat at Gangtok which made the government difficult to operate for rescue, relief and re­habilitation works. The earthquake was later followed by heavy rains. The weather, rumors, loss of road and communication networks was making everything difficult.

Under such circumstances, the Government held emergency meetings regularly and took prompt action. Contacts were made to the Central Government, Army, Air force, Pawan Hans and Teesta Urja Choppers started dropping necessary food, supplies, medicine, relief items and shelters to the highly affected areas. Relief Camps were set up in every affected areas. There was not a single case where anyone was not provided with food, medicines or other essential items. Enough funds for handling the rescue and rehabilitation activity was provided to DC’s, SDM’s, BDO’s, Municipal bodies, Gram Panchayat Units and to Dzumsas by the Government. Subsequently, funds were provided to various departments to restore water supply, power and for carrying out necessary activities to come out of the prevailing situation. The prompt response of the Government to the grim situation yielded very positive result on account of which road communication, power and water supply and other public utility services could be restored in record time. The Hon’ble Chief Minister as the Head of both the Government and the State Disaster Management Authority, himself monitored the relief operations and in this context toured all over the state to extend all possible help to the affected people. In comparison to similar situation faced by the people in various parts of the country in the past, the handling of the situation in the state was with more humanitarian and functioned in the most professional manner. This was endorsed by Shri Rahul Gandhi, home Minister and the Hon’ble Prime Minister.

In Sikkim, four (4) categories of rates were approved as against only three (3) rates of ex gratia relief provided under Government of India norms,
Where under ex gratia for collapsed houses/ building released was Rs. 50,000/- against Rs 35,000/ -as per Government of India norms. Similarly, in case of death, the State Government released ex gratia of Rs 5 Lakhs against Rs 1 lakh under the norms. A policy decision was also taken to construct one floor, RCC structure whose houses were totally damaged.

A Central team and nine other independent organizations made an assessment of damage caused due to 18th September, 2011, earthquake surveyed the different affected areas for recommending funds for relief and re­construction works along with the district officials. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for re-construction works are prepared and are submitted to the Central government for providing funds. The funds under State Disaster Response Fund have since been· released and funds from the Government of India is awaited to the tune of Rs.50.00 crores. Even though, Hon’ble Prime Minister has announced a package of Rs 1000 Crores during his visit to the state, no fund has been released on this account by the Government of India as on date. The state has been consistently following up.

This is based on the declaration of the Prime Minister’s announcement of Rs. 1000 crores. However, in the midst of this unprecedented calamity the state administration totally shifted from Tashiling to the community centre in record time and has been functioning full time. Daily administrative and public works are being attended to. Committees have now being constituted to monitor and evaluate all the programmes for re-construction/rehabilitation with utmost transparency and quality. Experts from IIT Chennai, Rourkee, Mumbai have been consulted to ensure earthquake resistance structural designs so that the future is well taken care of. We are proud to say that within a span of one month all this has taken shape and an atmosphere of normalcy has been restored.