Quake toll mounts to 52

PTI



At least 52 people have been killed, including 39 in Sikkim, and hundreds injured in the powerful 6.8 magnitude quake that hit the Himalayan State, causing widespread damage to buildings and roads.

West and South districts remain inaccessible for the Army with no relief work having reached the areas, Major General S.L. Narasimhan, GOC 17 Mountain division told reporters in Gangtok on Monday.

Sikkim, which bore the brunt of the quake, accounted for 39 deaths alone, with most casualties taking place in the North district and in towns and villages located along the Teesta river, officials in the district control room said.

Eight persons travelling in a bus of Teesta Urja Limited Company in North district are presumed dead as their vehicle got stuck under debris, Maj. Gen. Narasimhan said.

This, however, has not been incorporated in the official toll.

Six people have died in different areas of north Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is on her way to Kurseong, said adding she would review the situation there with officials.

In Bihar, seven people have died with several houses being damaged in four districts.

While Darbhanga alone accounted for four deaths, one each was reported from Nawada, Nalanda and Bhagalpur districts, officials at the State headquarters said.

Maj. Gen. Narasimhan said the Army has launched "Operation Madad" in Gangtok and other areas by deploying over 2,000 troops.

“Around 44 columns of the army are working in various parts of Sikkim, while another 15 are in the East District of the state. We are also sending teams to Darjeeling and Kalimpong (in West Bengal),” he said.

Two districts — West and South — in Sikkim remained inaccessible to the army, delaying rescue work, he said, adding local authorities were carrying it out and commanders stationed there have been alerted.

A group of 14 tourists were rescued by the army from North Sikkim on Sunday night, he said. The devastated visitors have been admitted to Chungthang Army Hospital.

Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has announced an ex gratia compensation of Rs. 5 lakh for the kin of the deceased, Rs. 50,000 for those grievously injured and Rs. 25,000 for those with minor injuries.

At a high-level meeting at his residence, Mr. Chamling asked department secretaries to oversee the relief work in the four districts of the State.

Around 300 rescue workers from the National Disaster Response Force are stuck at Bagdogra airport as chopper services to Gangtok is suspended due to inclement weather, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, adding helicopters have been kept ready for their movement.

“Since the relief materials for Sikkim were being routed through Bagdogra airport in Bengal, we will monitor and coordinate the movement of those materials as we also have a responsibility,” Ms. Banerjee said.

She said efforts were on to repair the damage to NH-31A and NH-55 due to landslide on war-footing.

A compensation of Rs. 2 lakh each for the next of kin of every victim will be given, Ms. Banerjee added.

source: The Hindu