GANGTOK, 10 Oct: An inter-ministerial central team, led by Home Affairs Joint Secretary Anant Kishore Saran, on Tuesday left for north Sikkim by helicopter to assess the damages caused by the flashfloods in the area, an official said.
The central team members – Power Ministry Director RK Meena, Jal Shakti Ministry Executive Engineer Sashwat Rai, and Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) Director Prabhakar Rai – flew by helicopter from Burtuk airport for north Sikkim, he said.
Mangan district in north Sikkim is the worst flood-affected district with over 30,000 people affected by the flashflood.
Members of the central team on Monday visited the affected areas in Gangtok, Pakyong district. Among the areas they visited were IBM, Rangpo, ATTC-Bardang, Golitar, Singtam, Dikchu, and Phidang, where they assessed the damages caused to buildings, power lines, roads and bridges.
The central team visited a relief camp on Monday in Majigaon and made certain recommendations for the maintenance of proper sanitation at rescue centres, besides suggesting counselling the inmates to boost their morale.
On the financial assistance, they said that priority will be given to immediate and short-term requirements of the state, and assured that release of funds will be expedited, so that normalcy can be restored at the earliest.
The team also held a meeting with Sikkim Chief Secretary VB Pathak on Monday.
The flashflood which ravaged Sikkim claimed at least 70 lives, while search for 80 people who are still missing is underway, officials said. (PTI)