Several trapped under debris, toll rises to 82

Mtoday news / NDTV

Gangtok, Sept 19:  The Army has finally reached the epicentre of Sunday’s killer earthquake in the town of Mangan in Sikkim even as the death toll has climbed to 82. Army units managed to reach Mangan after the road was cleared on Tuesday morning. More than 1 lakh houses have been damaged due to the 6.8 magnitude quake which resulted in casualties in West Bengal, Bihar, Nepal and Tibet too.

Several people are still feared trapped under the debris in far-flung villages, amidst reports of fresh landslides at Gailkhola, 55 kms from Gangtok at NH-31A. Some students are trapped in Rabengla in West Sikkim where aerial reccee is being carried out.

Out of the 82 deaths, 68 are in India, including 53 in Sikkim. Theree peopel are confirmed dead in Bihar and 12 in West Bengal, seven each are dead in Nepal and Tibet respectively.

 

 

Nine helicopters have been mobilised for rescue operations. Ten doctors have been airlifted to Chungthang in North Sikkim which is still without power supply. The Army has also deployed 10 medical units. National Highway 55 which connects Bagdogra to Darjeeling has now been restored, the Gangtok Nathu La highway is expected to be cleared by 6 this evening.

One way traffic is being allowed on National Highway 31, linking Sikkim to Bagdogra which was partly opened on Monday. Locals are living in fear of aftershocks, many preferring to sleep outdoors or in their cars, instead of returning home.

 

Sikim Manipal Universty buildings have heavy damages. The Old Hostel building hasa collapsed. Many other blocks have developed craks.

At a hospital in Siliguri, a man being moved on a stretcher says he wants to share his story. "I was driving in my car," he said, "and suddenly there was this jolt. The windshield shattered, pieces of glass were flung at us, and our car started swerving."

12 people have also died in Nepal and Tibet, pushing the death toll to 54. Indian Home Secretary RK Singh said that number may rise as rescue and relief operations progress.

 

 

 

 

Heavy rain in the area caused landslides through the night and much of today, making it tough for doctors and others to reach the Western and Southern districts in Sikkim.

Nine helicopters are being used to airdrop food and other supplies to areas like Siliguri.

A breakthrough came late this afternoon when the Army was able to clear a crucial road from Siliguri in West Bengal to Gangtok.

More than 5000 Army jawans are being used to provide assistance to those affected. 2000 people have taken shelter at Army camps.

In Sikkim’s capital, Gangtok, the devastation seems absolute. More than 100,000 buildings have been severely damaged. Government offices and hospitals have been left unusable. The Chief Minister cannot use his office. Water and power supply remain erratic; phone towers have been hit, making communication tough.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is headed to Darjeeling, said that her priority is to ensure that National Highways 31A and 55, damaged by landslides, are repaired urgently so that food and other supplies can be transported.

Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua reported that at least seven persons have been killed and 22 others injured in Tibet.

Meanwhile, a seismic observatory in Shillong said that an earthquake of 4.3 magnitude on the Richter scale shook parts of Meghalaya today.