West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee raised alarms on Wednesday about the precarious situation in Sikkim, suggesting that a disaster akin to the one in Uttarakhand could strike the state due to the proliferation of hydropower projects in the area. During a review meeting at Lalkothi in Darjeeling, she emphasized the risks posed by fourteen operational hydel projects in Sikkim, stating, “I am afraid that a disaster like the one in Uttarakhand could happen there anytime. One of the major problems during the monsoon in the hills is landslides. The narrow roads make the situation even more dangerous.”
Banerjee underscored the need for increased environmental awareness, warning, “If you play with nature, it will retaliate one day. Nature is being exploited.” She pointed out that the routes connecting Kalimpong and Sikkim are particularly vulnerable, noting a high incidence of landslides. She urged the National Highway Authority and the Army to respond to the landslide threats, highlighting the reliance of the Army on these routes.
In terms of the broader flood crisis in Bengal, Banerjee indicated that the situation was worsened by water released from Bhutan, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. She raised concerns over inadequate river dredging and uncoordinated releases from dams, stating, “We need to focus on dredging. Or else, we should consider removing the dams and letting the rivers flow naturally. Why do we have to suffer every time? Rivers coming from northern India damage our state, which lies in a lower-lying area.”
The Chief Minister confirmed that she has requested a geological survey of the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts from the Geological Survey of India. The review revealed a death toll of 32 from the recent calamity in North Bengal, with casualties reported as 21 in Darjeeling, 9 in Jalpaiguri, and 2 in Cooch Behar. Approximately 70,000 individuals have been affected across the nine blocks of Darjeeling, and more than 1,300 people were rescued in Darjeeling district. Banerjee commended those who assisted in the rescue efforts, noting that 30,000 people had been provided with food through seventeen relief centers and community kitchens.
On ongoing restoration efforts, Banerjee shared that the Rohini Road linking Darjeeling to Siliguri is undergoing repairs and is expected to be completed in 15 days. A temporary bridge at Dudhia will be finished within a week, with work on a permanent bridge also in progress. She outlined plans for reconstruction, focusing on repairing damaged infrastructure such as bridges, homes, schools, and health centers. Compensation will be provided for agricultural land affected, and the Agriculture department has been instructed to prepare a comprehensive report.
Additionally, she called for the Forest department to plant native trees along riverbanks to reinforce embankments. Banerjee announced the establishment of medical camps, services for reissuing lost documents, and distribution of school supplies to affected students. Relief kits are also being distributed to victims.
A new Disaster Relief Fund has been set up, distinct from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, to facilitate contributions. Banerjee herself donated Rs 5 lakh from her personal funds to this relief fund. During the meeting, she acknowledged and rewarded individuals and organizations that played vital roles in the rescue and relief operations during the recent disaster.
Original Source: https://www.sikkimexpress.com/news-details/mamata-warns-of-sikkim-disaster-reviews-north-bengal-calamity-response
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