Editorial:
Sikkim is grappling with an unprecedented devastation at present. Even worst-case scenarios would not have projected the logistic nightmare that faces the State Government and the relief and rescue workers in accessing the worst affected areas. Clearing the road to Chungthang, BRO road gangs had to clear debris from an astounding 150 spots to clear a mere 11 kms of the road. Similar challenges obstruct access to areas in remote Dzongu where even pedestrian crossovers are fraught with more dangers than are advisable for even rescue experts to undertake. Even helicopter access is impossible beyond recce hovers and emergency air-drops in most parts.
The magnitude of the destruction is unparalleled, this is after all the strongest earthquake generated within Sikkim. The last earthquake of any consequence that people remember is the rattle which coursed through Sikkim on Valentine’s day 2006. That one measured a little over 5 in magnitude and lasted brief seconds. It caused some damage, but most of it was superficial. The last mega-earthquake to course through Sikkim was the 1934 Bihar/ Nepal earthquake [8.4] which many in Sikkim still recollect as the last big temblor to strike these parts. The worst earthquake in recorded history however was the one of 1897 which measured 8.7 in intensity and had its epicentre in Shillong. This one took down the under construction palace in Gangtok, levelled the Tumlong palace in North Sikkim, damaged monasteries across the State and sent down many landslides. No details survive of the casualties or damages suffered elsewhere in Sikkim but even then, manmade structures took a bad hit.
The Sunday earthquake and the destruction which followed were unexpected because they did not follow any projections. Experts for long have suggested that a temblor of 6.9 intensity would level concrete expansions like Gangtok and any plans for relief and rescue would have naturally been more tuned towards addressing such scenarios. The Sunday earthquake however did not claim lives from manmade structures and instead sent down devastation in the form of landslides. A majority of casualties were caused by landslides and rock falls triggered by the earthquake and buildings did not collapse in the scale expected. With the more remote habitations taking the brunt of the earthquake, the already unreliable road networks were torn asunder making even access impossible thus far. In such a scenario of panic and uncertainty, rumours are bound to circulate and misinformation rife. The information chain was never very reliable in Sikkim, and in emergency situations such as this, it becomes even more confounding. This cannot be good. What Sikkim needs more than ever to assuage minds traumatised by the Sunday event and the horrors which continue is a clearer channel of communication, frequent and transparent updates and frank appraisals. Doubts, suspicions and mistrust are bound spike during times of such extreme stress, and these cannot be countered with rash counters or harsh condemnations- Sikkim and its people, especially those in the worst affected parts, need sound counsel and prompt assistance.
Sikkim is grappling with an unprecedented devastation at present. Even worst-case scenarios would not have projected the logistic nightmare that faces the State Government and the relief and rescue workers in accessing the worst affected areas. Clearing the road to Chungthang, BRO road gangs had to clear debris from an astounding 150 spots to clear a mere 11 kms of the road. Similar challenges obstruct access to areas in remote Dzongu where even pedestrian crossovers are fraught with more dangers than are advisable for even rescue experts to undertake. Even helicopter access is impossible beyond recce hovers and emergency air-drops in most parts.
The magnitude of the destruction is unparalleled, this is after all the strongest earthquake generated within Sikkim. The last earthquake of any consequence that people remember is the rattle which coursed through Sikkim on Valentine’s day 2006. That one measured a little over 5 in magnitude and lasted brief seconds. It caused some damage, but most of it was superficial. The last mega-earthquake to course through Sikkim was the 1934 Bihar/ Nepal earthquake [8.4] which many in Sikkim still recollect as the last big temblor to strike these parts. The worst earthquake in recorded history however was the one of 1897 which measured 8.7 in intensity and had its epicentre in Shillong. This one took down the under construction palace in Gangtok, levelled the Tumlong palace in North Sikkim, damaged monasteries across the State and sent down many landslides. No details survive of the casualties or damages suffered elsewhere in Sikkim but even then, manmade structures took a bad hit.
The Sunday earthquake and the destruction which followed were unexpected because they did not follow any projections. Experts for long have suggested that a temblor of 6.9 intensity would level concrete expansions like Gangtok and any plans for relief and rescue would have naturally been more tuned towards addressing such scenarios. The Sunday earthquake however did not claim lives from manmade structures and instead sent down devastation in the form of landslides. A majority of casualties were caused by landslides and rock falls triggered by the earthquake and buildings did not collapse in the scale expected. With the more remote habitations taking the brunt of the earthquake, the already unreliable road networks were torn asunder making even access impossible thus far. In such a scenario of panic and uncertainty, rumours are bound to circulate and misinformation rife. The information chain was never very reliable in Sikkim, and in emergency situations such as this, it becomes even more confounding. This cannot be good. What Sikkim needs more than ever to assuage minds traumatised by the Sunday event and the horrors which continue is a clearer channel of communication, frequent and transparent updates and frank appraisals. Doubts, suspicions and mistrust are bound spike during times of such extreme stress, and these cannot be countered with rash counters or harsh condemnations- Sikkim and its people, especially those in the worst affected parts, need sound counsel and prompt assistance.
editor, it is 'easy' to blame nature and talk about 'easy' things like falling rocks and landslides.
ReplyDeletehowever when can we see you upholding some journalistic ethics and asking the tougher questions?
how come, in spite of knowing all along that sikkim was sitting on a seismic powder keg, the powers that be never thought it necessary to implement building codes, ensure safe standards of construction etc.
after the dust has settled down and the debris cleared, i for one would wish that the centre begins to tax sikkimese heavily (perhaps with an earthquake surcharge) so that 'easy money' which has been the bane of sikkimese society will dry up.
otherwise what can you say of state in which even a peon and a SNT driver amongst others can boast of multi-storied buildings?