Sikkim forms task force to assist residents affected by Nepal floods
The Sikkim government has set up a task force to coordinate relief and assistance for residents of the state who may be stranded, missing or otherwise affected by the devastating flash floods in Nepal, an official said on Friday.
The task force will be headed by Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority Director Prabhakar Rai. It will coordinate with the Centre, the Indian Embassy in Nepal and other agencies to gather information about Sikkim residents affected by the disaster.
According to a government notification issued on Thursday, the task force will collect, compile and verify information on people reported missing, stranded, injured, dead or otherwise affected by the floods.
It will also remain in contact with the families of affected residents and facilitate the exchange of verified information about their condition and whereabouts, the official said.
The move comes as Nepal continues large-scale search and rescue operations following the devastating flash floods that struck parts of the country on Wednesday.
The death toll from the disaster rose to 469 on Friday after more bodies were recovered, while 1,545 people who were injured or stranded have been rescued from affected areas. Of those rescued, 84 people are currently receiving treatment at hospitals in Kathmandu.
Search and rescue operations entered their third day on Friday, with 7,451 security personnel deployed across affected areas, including 2,391 Nepal Army personnel, according to a statement from the Nepal Police.
The disaster was triggered by an ice-rock avalanche following a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border. The resulting torrent of water, mud and debris swept downstream through parts of central Nepal, causing widespread destruction.
Several towns and villages were affected, with homes, vehicles, roads and bridges washed away or damaged. Hydropower projects in the affected areas have also suffered damage as rescue teams continue efforts to locate missing people and assist those stranded.
with inputs from PTI
