Northeast Desk, 9th October: Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba chaired a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) to review the flood situation in Sikkim. During the meeting, Gauba emphasized the top priority of evacuating people stranded in flood-affected areas in the shortest possible time. He also called for the swift deployment of Bailey Bridges to restore road connectivity in areas where bridges have been washed away.
The meeting was attended by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, the Chief Secretary of Sikkim, and various other senior officials from government departments. The Home Secretary informed that the Central Government is closely monitoring the situation and that an Inter-Ministerial Coordination Team (IMCT) has been sent to Sikkim to assess the situation. Necessary additional central assistance is being provided to the Government of Sikkim.
The Sikkim Chief Secretary, who joined the meeting through video conferencing, reported that road connectivity has been restored in most areas, and evacuation and airlifting of stranded people have begun. Relief camps have been set up, and essential supplies including food, medicines, and LPG are being provided to affected areas.
The Director General of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) mentioned that the weather forecast is expected to remain favorable from October 11 to 13. The Director General of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) reported that six NDRF teams are already deployed in Sikkim for rescue and relief operations, with three reserve teams on standby in Siliguri. The Army and Air Force have also deployed teams and assets to assist in rescue and restoration efforts in the state.