Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Visit Sikkim from Oct 10-12 to Inaugurate Memorial for GLOF Victims

Notably, this will be his first visit to the state after the GLOF disaster that severely affected the region.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Sikkim from October 10 to 12, 2024.

During his two-day Sikkim visit the Defence Minister will inaugurate Bardang’s Preyna Stal, a memorial built in honour of the Army personnel who lost their lives in the catastrophic flooding caused by the heavy rain and Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in the Teesta river on October 4, 2023.

Notably, this will be his first visit to the state after the GLOF disaster last year that severely affected the region.

On the first day of his visit, Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate the memorial. Then he will proceed to Gangtok where he will chair a high-level meeting with senior Indian Army officials at the Living Office of the Army.

A key highlight of the Defence Minister’s trip will be his tour of North Sikkim. It is anticipated that discussions will focus on the severe road conditions in North Sikkim, which have remained cut off for an extended period due to the natural calamity.

The Defence Minister will also meet officials from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF), and the Indian Army to review ongoing infrastructure and connectivity projects in the area.

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang and Governor Om Prakash Mathur will accompany Singh during his tour, and later, the Defence Minister will also hold meetings with both leaders as well.

The GLOF occurred at the Lhonak Lake in the Chungthang area of North Sikkim and caused a flash flood in the Teesta River basin on the night of October 4.

Over 100 people including 13 Army personnel died and over 73 are still missing.

The powerful floods caused by the GLOF completely destroyed vital infrastructure, roads, and houses while threatening people’s lives, and livelihoods in the Himalayan state.

What is Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs)?

Read here: What is GLOF? Which caused catastrophic floods in Sikkim killing 30 people so far. Read to know more

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