Press Release
Press Release from District Disaster Management Authority, Gangtok
Information & Public Relations Department
Under the direction of the District Collector, Gangtok District, a joint Inspection of the landslide below Singtam Sr Sec School was carried out with the officials from various line departments. The inspecting team was headed by SDM Rabdang Shri Suresh Rai.
The following officers and stakeholders were present during the inspection :
1. Shri Suresh Tamang, President Singtam Nagar Panchayat.
2. Shri Manoj Agarwal, concerned ward councillor
3. Shri Sonam Wongyal Lepcha, DPO/DDMA, Gangtok District.
4. Shri Sandeep Kumar, IAS, Assistant Collector, Gangtok District.
3. Smt Chemi Doma Bhutia, JD, Gangtok and her team from HRDD.
4. Smt Prakriti Pradhan, Sr Geologist and her team from Mines, Minerals and Geology Department.
5. Superintendent of Engineer and his team from HRDD
6. Shri Ujwal Pandey, MEO, Singtam and his team
7. Shri Bikash Bhattarai, Vice principal & others from Singtam Sr Sec School.
During the inspection, the team observed that the slide had posed a great threat to life & property in case the timely treatment was not initiated. Further, it was observed that due to the recent slide, the footpath has been blocked and an alternate path was made just above the slide which according to the inspecting team finds it more risky for the commuters to walk through that path. Hence, the team decided to block those alternate paths and cover the entire area with tarpaulins to avoid any untoward incident in the area. Subsequently, an alternative route has been identified for the commuters in that area.
Officials from the Mines & Geology Department have been directed to submit a detailed report of the stability of the area and recommendations on long-term mitigation measures. Accordingly, based on the report and recommendations of the Mines & Geology Department further necessary action shall be initiated from the concerned department.
Later, SDM Rabdang, DPO/DDMA, Gangtok District and Assistant Collector, also visited the Sirwani Bazaar area along with the concerned BDO and panchayat members to see and check the vulnerable houses standing near the Teesta river belt including the Office building of the Teesta-VI HE Project as reported by the GM, Teesta-VI HE project through letter address to District Collector, Gangtok vide memo No: LTHPC/Teesta-VI/GM(C)/LOT-I/2024/95; dated:29/06/2024.
After the visit of individual houses, the owners of five households including the office of the GM, Teesta-VI HE Project were issued the notice of evacuation on the spot from the administration side to avoid any major disaster.
Further, the sinking of PMGSY road due to improper drainage system and diversion of groundwater at Dochum ward under Sirwani GPU was also inspected. However, due to the overflow of road surface water and seepage from groundwater, the entire area seems to be vulnerable to landslides and sinking. The villagers were advised to be on high alert in case of heavy and continuous rains. As an immediate measure, the drainage system is to be cleared and repaired wherever necessary for the smooth flow of water by the concerned department.
Furthermore, a detailed inspection of the area /village is to be carried out by the officials of the Mines, Minerals & Geology Department to see the long-term mitigation measures.
The following officers and stakeholders were present during the inspection :
1. Shri Suresh Tamang, President Singtam Nagar Panchayat.
2. Shri Manoj Agarwal, concerned ward councillor
3. Shri Sonam Wongyal Lepcha, DPO/DDMA, Gangtok District.
4. Shri Sandeep Kumar, IAS, Assistant Collector, Gangtok District.
3. Smt Chemi Doma Bhutia, JD, Gangtok and her team from HRDD.
4. Smt Prakriti Pradhan, Sr Geologist and her team from Mines, Minerals and Geology Department.
5. Superintendent of Engineer and his team from HRDD
6. Shri Ujwal Pandey, MEO, Singtam and his team
7. Shri Bikash Bhattarai, Vice principal & others from Singtam Sr Sec School.
During the inspection, the team observed that the slide had posed a great threat to life & property in case the timely treatment was not initiated. Further, it was observed that due to the recent slide, the footpath has been blocked and an alternate path was made just above the slide which according to the inspecting team finds it more risky for the commuters to walk through that path. Hence, the team decided to block those alternate paths and cover the entire area with tarpaulins to avoid any untoward incident in the area. Subsequently, an alternative route has been identified for the commuters in that area.
Officials from the Mines & Geology Department have been directed to submit a detailed report of the stability of the area and recommendations on long-term mitigation measures. Accordingly, based on the report and recommendations of the Mines & Geology Department further necessary action shall be initiated from the concerned department.
Later, SDM Rabdang, DPO/DDMA, Gangtok District and Assistant Collector, also visited the Sirwani Bazaar area along with the concerned BDO and panchayat members to see and check the vulnerable houses standing near the Teesta river belt including the Office building of the Teesta-VI HE Project as reported by the GM, Teesta-VI HE project through letter address to District Collector, Gangtok vide memo No: LTHPC/Teesta-VI/GM(C)/LOT-I/2024/95; dated:29/06/2024.
After the visit of individual houses, the owners of five households including the office of the GM, Teesta-VI HE Project were issued the notice of evacuation on the spot from the administration side to avoid any major disaster.
Further, the sinking of PMGSY road due to improper drainage system and diversion of groundwater at Dochum ward under Sirwani GPU was also inspected. However, due to the overflow of road surface water and seepage from groundwater, the entire area seems to be vulnerable to landslides and sinking. The villagers were advised to be on high alert in case of heavy and continuous rains. As an immediate measure, the drainage system is to be cleared and repaired wherever necessary for the smooth flow of water by the concerned department.
Furthermore, a detailed inspection of the area /village is to be carried out by the officials of the Mines, Minerals & Geology Department to see the long-term mitigation measures.