35 killed in Sikkim Quake

Press release issued by the Information & Public Relations Department, Govt of Sikkim, on Monday morning
GANGTOK, 19 Sept: A high level meeting was held under the Chairmanship of HCM at Mintogang in the morning of 19th September 2011. The meeting which was attended by the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary and Head of Departments discussed and took decisions on the recent earth quake that hit the state.
As per the first hand information the damages caused in the state are as follows:
Casualties
TOTAL thus far 35
East Sikkim- 6
West Sikkim- 4
South Sikkim-1
North Sikkim-24

The number of persons admitted for treatment at various hospitals are as follows:
1.       Mangan  North Sikkim-47
2.       STNM, Gangtok, East Sikkim – 38
3.       Singtam, East Sikkim – 8
4.       Chungthang, North Sikkim -10

The Chief Minister has announced ex gratia payment of Rs.5 lakhs per persons for the kith and kin of the deceased persons. Rs. 50,000/- for grievous injuries and Rs. 25,000/- for minor injuries.
The relief for damages to houses is as follows
1.       Pucca house – Rs. 50,000/-
2.       Kutcha House – Rs.30,000/-
3.       Partial damages to pucca house – Rs.25,000/-
4.       Partial damage to Kutcha house – Rs. 15,000/-

For losses of cattle and livestock the Chief Minister announced Rs.10,000/- for cattle such as cows and buffalos, Rs. 3000/- for goats and Rs. Rs. 5,000/- for pigs.
Details of damages caused to houses are as follows
1.       Houses and buildings that have collapsed – 1000 nos
2.       Houses and building that have been partially damaged – 1,00,000 nos
Besides the above all the major roads such as National Highway, state highway, district highways and rural roads have been damaged extensively. Along with the roads concrete bridges, rural bridges have also been damaged.
The Secretariat building, Government Press building, Police Headquarter, hospital buildings, school buildings and government buildings in all four districts have also been extensively damaged.
Power Transmission lines and electric poles have also been uprooted severely effecting power supply.
Water supply of Gangtok has been reported to be damaged and rural water supply in various districts have been affected.
The Chief Minister has constituted a high level relief team that will visit all four districts and take immediate action on relief and restoration works.
For South Sikkim the relief team will be headed by Shri K.N.Bhutia, Commissioner cum Secretary, Commerce and Industries, for North Shri Nari Tshering Bhutia,PCCF cum Sectretary, Forest Department, for West Shri Topjor Bhutia, Commissioner cum Secretary, UDHD and for East district Shri B.K.Kharel, Commissioner cum Secretary, Land Revenue Department will look after the relief operations.
The HCM himself will be personally touring all four districts and dispense with relief measures. He has also directed all MLA’s and Panchayats to assist in the relief operation at the grass root level , which are being taken up at a war footing.
Lastly, the HCM has extended his condolences to all the bereaved family members of those whose lives which were lost in calamity and has also wished speedy recovery to the injured. In his message the CM has assured the people of Sikkim that all measures and steps are being taken in a pro active manner so as to alleviate the suffering of those affected by this unfortunate calamity. He has also made an appeal to all Sikkimese to stay resilient and calm in the face of this adversity.