Heavy windstorm ravages Sikkim, 1 person Dead and 7 injured

Gangtok : Sikkim witnessed harsh weather conditions during the early hours of Sunday when a massive windstorm hit the region causing widespread distruction. The storm uprooted numerous trees and power poles damaging houses in different parts of the state, the most affected being the North District. The strong winds that hit Sikkim early today also claimed one life and injured seven others. A tree crashed on a house at Indira Bypass which killed an 11 year old girl Marina Chettri and injured her grandmother, while six others were injured in separate places. The injured have been admitted to STNM hospital and are in stable conditions. The north district which has been hit the hardest has witnessed power cuts and massive property damages. 

According to the District Administration, power restoration is likely to take two more days and are still taking stock of other damages caused. Immediately after the incident, the state administration swung into action. The District Collector visited the damaged sites and the STNM hospital. He assured the victims of the calamity that all the necessary assistance will be provided by the state Government. Disasters management teams along with Police and Forest Department officials immediately took to evacuating the people from the affected areas and clearing of the roads blocked by fallen trees. The district administration also announced a relief package of Rs.1.5 lakhs to the family of the deceased child. Meanwhile, an emergency meeting was convened at the Police Head Quarters conference hall to take the stock of the situation. 

The meeting chaired by Chief Secretary R Ongmu was attended by Director General of Police, Secretary of Roads and Bridges of PHE department, Commissioner of GMC, Special Secretary of LR and DMD, District Collector and Superintendent of Police of East District, and other top officials from various departments. The Chief Secretary took detailed reports from the concerned departments including Power, PHE, Health, Forest, GMC and PWD and directed them to immediately begin the restoration works. Assuring timely intervention to restore normalcy, the state administration has appealed to the public to maintain calm.

-EOI