Sikkim: Army allays apprehensions over explosives swept away by floods

“Wherever our teams found the unexploded explosives they were taken to safe areas and demolished by our experts,” said Eastern Command GOC-in-C Lt General RP Kalita

The Army has undertaken all necessary steps to find and demolish explosives which have been swept away from the ammunition depot at Munshithang in the Sikkim flash floods. GoC-in-C Eastern Command Lt Gen RP Kalita allayed apprehensions and said that the matter is being taken seriously and all efforts are being made to avert any danger.
As an immediate measure to deal with the crisis, small groups were formed and sent to the villages along the river Teesta where ammunition and explosives had piled up after being washed away downstream.
When asked about what was being done to minimize the gravity of the situation, Lt General RP Kalita said, “What we did was the moment we learnt about the fact that lot of ammunitions and explosives were swept away by the floods and recovered downstream, immediately we informed both the state govts including Sikkim and West Bengal. Based on which they issued advisories to the local population. In addition to that we formed small teams along with the representatives of the state govt and police who went to the villages situated on the banks of the Teesta river basically to make the people aware about the dangers posed by these explosives which are all there along the river bed. They were advised not to touch them. Wherever our teams found the unexploded explosives they were taken to safe areas and they were demolished by our experts.”
On the other hand, the Eastern Command Goc-in-C also informed that the devastating glacial lake outburst had unleashed its fury in the downstream areas causing massive destruction.
Kalita said, “There has been damage as far as infrastructure is concerned particularly in terms of roads bridges, the hydroelectric dams which were swept away. Small scale infrastructure of the army were also damaged which were along the river.”
The Army official also said that rescue operations are underway in full swing although inclement weather has hampered air evacuations.
He stated, “So the basic focus from 4th of Oct primarily was on the rescue and relief of the people stuck there due to flash flood. Almost 3000 toursists were stranded. But unfortunately due to the weather in last 3-4 days the evacuation of the tourists could not take place. But yesterday onwards tourist evacuations have started. Almost 500 people were evacuated yesterday. Today also the process is on. So basically aim was to carry out rescue of the people who were stranded and thereafter provide relief to the people in the isolated areas. Simultaneously the process is on to reconstruct the infrastructure that were damaged.”
Lt Gen RP Kalita further said, “It (restoration) will take time but I think all the agencies are involved including the state govt, BRO, Ministry of Road Transport, the Army, everbody is working in a synergized manner and with single goal of providing succour to the people affected by the flood.”
Regarding the loss of lives of the army soldiers, RP Kalita informed, “As far as army is concerned, there 22 people (soldiers) who were swept away out which 10 mortal remains we have been able to recover, 12 are still yet to be recovered.”

Also Read : Army reaches isolated villages Rabom, North West Chungthang; rescue of 200 civilians underway

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