The wind started picking up at around midnight and was in full force by 2 a.m., howling in a sinister fashion throughout and it was apparent that the morning would bring news of some disaster.
Come morning, the first responders, the police along with SAP and Forest personnel were seen in action clearing off debris, branches and tree trunks from the roads at different locations especially the highway. Apart from trees, the windstorm also brought down electricity poles at Swastik and Burtuk as a result of which the area was plunged into darkness for most of the night.
The winds also blew away corrugated sheet roofs from several houses. People could be seen trying to salvage the material or put up a makeshift arrangement for a roof.
Among the damaged dwellings was the house of Jagat Kumar Chettri, grandfather of the deceased Savitri Chettri. This was a kutcha house just below the Indira Byepass a few metres from the SDF party office. Here, a huge tree against which the house had been constructed was toppled over by the winds and collapsed on top of the house, crushing it completely. While Savitri was fatally injured, three others of the family managed to escape with injuries. Jagat Kumar, 85 years of age, is reported to be in critical condition with a head injury and is presently under treatment at the STNM Hospital.
The incident occurred at night; there were 4 family members in the house; however one of the other children awoke with the noise of the tree collapsing and immediately ran out and thus was saved. Savitri was still alive when they rushed her to the hospital.
At Swastik, another tree came down and crashed on a parked vehicle. Two electric poles have also been flattened. A linesman from the Power Department at the site informed that the poles were flattened by crashing trees. As a result, all the areas to which the poles transmitted power are now without electricity. These areas include, Swastik, Burtuk, Bojoghari and Selep Tanki as well as the local army establishment.
As informed by the linesman, it would take up to a week to get the poles up and transmitting again. The residents of the area may be supplied power from another line. One of the electric poles was near Man Bahadur Biswakarma’s workshop which has also collapsed. This was also a kutcha shed where he made khukris and other items.
At Hospital Dara, below the High Court a tree came crashing down causing a traffic pile up in the morning. Police personnel were seen organizing the clearing with the help of labourers. Another house at Bye pass belonging to Lobsang Lepcha was also damaged. A tree fell on his multi storey house at around 4:30 a.m. and has damaged the roof. SAP personnel along with their Deputy Commandant, R Bhutia were seen assisting the clearing process. The Dy Commandant and his team of SAP personnel were engaged in clearing the Bye pass road of trees and branches and other material the entire morning and afternoon thus making it motor-able.
A full assessment of the damages caused by the windstorm is awaited.
Meanwhile, one platoon of Sikkim Disaster Relief Force has been deployed from early morning which has been working in full swing for managing the calamity. Disaster District Control Room is functional 24/7 and any person affected can contact 03592-204995 or 03592-221566 Ext 700. The State administration has appealed to the public that everything is under control and public are requested not to panic.
Total 48 houses in Swastik, Bojoghari, Lingdok, Tashi Viewpoint, Taktse, Lower Burtuk are reported to have sustained damage.
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