Northeast Desk, 23rd July: Member of Parliament Indra Hang Subba, representing the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha, took to X (formerly Twitter) today to express his gratitude to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for addressing the devastating impact of Sikkim’s recent flash floods in her budget speech. Subba praised Sitharaman for the significant relief measures included for the state in the General Budget 2024-2025.
In response to the catastrophic Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) that struck Sikkim, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced substantial assistance for the state’s recovery in the General Budget 2024-2025.
On October 3, 2023, the rupture of South Lhonak Lake, situated at 17,000 feet in northwest Sikkim, triggered a massive flood into the Teesta River, wreaking havoc on downstream areas. The disaster severely affected the districts of Mangan, Gangtok, Pakyong, and Namchi, and led to a critical breach in the Chungthang Hydro-Dam, further exacerbating the destruction and displacement.
In her budget speech, Sitharaman emphasized the central government’s commitment to supporting Sikkim’s recovery, announcing dedicated funds for disaster relief and infrastructure rebuilding. This financial aid aims to address the extensive damage caused by the flash floods and assist in the state’s rebuilding efforts.
“The central government’s support is crucial for Sikkim as we recover from this unprecedented disaster,” Subba stated. “The dedicated funds for disaster relief and rebuilding will play a vital role in restoring normalcy and rebuilding infrastructure in the affected areas.”
Sitharaman’s announcement underscores the government’s focus on aiding disaster-stricken regions and ensuring sustainable recovery through substantial financial assistance.