Meghalaya govt activates helpline number for state residents stuck in Sikkim
Oct 06, 2023
Shillong (Meghalaya) [India], October 6 : In view of the natural calamity in Sikkim, the Government of Meghalaya has activated helpline number 1800-345-3644 for its residents who may require assistance due to the natural calamity.
"Students and residents of the State can call the helpline number 1800-345-3644 for assistance they may need related to the above-mentioned calamity," according to a press release by the Meghalaya government.
"Further, in case of emergency students can contact A Ali, Additional Director of Higher and Technical Education, Govt of Meghalaya Contact no: 98630 63305 and F B Ramsiej, Deputy Director Higher and Technical Education, Government of Meghalaya Contact No: 7005037347 for coordination and redressal of issues," the release stated.
As many as 3,000 people including tourists, drivers and motorcyclists have been stranded in Lachen and Lachung areas after a glacial lake situated in the northwest state burst due to incessant rains and triggered flash floods in the region on October 4, said Sikkim Chief secretary.
Due to the Glacial lake outburst flood and flash floods, there was a sudden surge in flows in the Teesta River, which washed away several bridges, parts of NH-10, the Chungthang Dam and has impacted several small towns and several infrastructure projects in the upper reaches of the river valley in Sikkim.
The State Disaster Management Authority informed that at least 19 people have died in the flash floods in Sikkim.
Indian Army is providing assistance in terms of food, medical aid and extending communication facility to civilians and tourists stranded in North Sikkim.
The Sikkim government has set up 18 relief camps in Singtam, Rangpo, Dikchu and Adarsh Gaon which have faced most of the damages. However, due to a lack of connectivity with Chungthang, the relief camps there are being set up by the Indian Army and other paramilitaries.
