Blog

PM Modi spoke to Assam and Sikkim chief ministers Himanta Biswa Sarma and Prem Singh Tamang respectively and Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla to take stock of the situation.

He assured them all possible help and support from the Centre.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered all possible help to the northeastern states reeling under floods following heavy downpour, officials said on Tuesday.

PM Modi spoke to Assam and Sikkim chief ministers Himanta Biswa Sarma and Prem Singh Tamang respectively and Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla to take stock of the situation.

He assured them all possible help and support from the Centre.

The flood situation in the northeast remains critical. The toll due to deluge and landslides triggered by heavy rain over the past few days rose to 36 on Monday, while over 5.5 lakh remained affected across several states in the region.

PM Modi spoke to Assam and Sikkim chief ministers Himanta Biswa Sarma and Prem Singh Tamang respectively and Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla to take stock of the situation.

He assured them all possible help and support from the Centre.

The flood situation in the northeast remains critical. The toll due to deluge and landslides triggered by heavy rain over the past few days rose to 36 on Monday, while over 5.5 lakh remained affected across several states in the regionPM Modi spoke to Assam and Sikkim chief ministers Himanta Biswa Sarma and Prem Singh Tamang respectively and Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla to take stock of the situation.

He assured them all possible help and support from the Centre.

The flood situation in the northeast remains critical. The toll due to deluge and landslides triggered by heavy rain over the past few days rose to 36 on Monday, while over 5.5 lakh remained affected across several states in the region

Landslides triggered by heavy rains damaged roads across Nagaland, with crop destruction reported from some districts.

Landslides triggered by heavy rains damaged roads across Nagaland, with crop destruction reported from some districts, officials said on Tuesday.

In Kohima district, a major land sinking occurred near Kisama Heritage Village, while a major landslide was reported along the Kigwema-Mima-Chakhabama road.

Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang visited the site of the road sinking at Phesama village near Kisama Heritage Village, where a 50-meter stretch of NH-2 has collapsed, cutting off the key route between Nagaland and Manipur.

Accompanied by officials from the Public Works Department and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL), Zeliang took stock of the situation and directed immediate action to restore connectivity.

He instructed NHIDCL to create an alternate road for stranded goods trucks and commuters and emphasised the urgency of the situation, given the highway’s importance as Manipur’s lifeline.

“This is the third major road collapse at this location since 2013. A permanent solution is long overdue,” Zeliang said, adding that both he and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio have written to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways seeking approval for a proposed alternate route.

The road began sinking on the night of May 31. Continuous rain worsened the condition, causing the highway to sink by about four feet. Around 30 metres of the road collapsed entirely by Monday. A truck was trapped in the collapsing section, though no casualties have been reported.

More than a hundred goods-laden trucks bound for Manipur have been stranded along the route since Sunday. The district administration has opened a one-way alternate route for light motor vehicles.

NHIDCL Executive Director RP Singh said that to construct a temporary road, land acquisition would be needed.

“If landowners cooperate, the work can be completed within 10 days, depending on the weather,” he said.

Tuensang district witnessed a landslide in Phingjang Ward, Tuensang town, and a road blockage on the Tobu road below Tuensang Village.

A windstorm damaged an Anganwadi centre in Phir Ahir village under Longkhim sub-division, an official said.

In Kiphire district, continuous rainfall led to landslides and road blockages between Khongiri and Mimi villages, in Luther village, and on the road from 2 Junction to Pungro Town. Singrep village also reported a landslide, while agricultural fields in Moya and Pungro villages sustained damage.

The Meluri district reported a landslide damaging the Village Guard Office guard room. Overflowing of the Araju River damaged paddy fields in Reguri village, and a retaining wall collapse in Wutsi Colony affected a residential house.

In Noklak district, road blockages were reported across several key routes, including Noklak-Chingmei-Tuensang, Noklak-Pangsha, Panso-Tuensang, and Panso-Saddle-Tuensang roads, severely impacting connectivity.

Maize fields were damaged in Chassir village in Shamator district due to storms and heavy rains. A major landslide also occurred between Shamator and Kiphire.

In the Mokokchung district, a retaining wall collapsed at Mongsenbai Ward, damaging a residential house. In Luyong Ward, Mangkolemba sub-division, a similar incident affected a footpath and three homes.

Wokha district faced power outages after strong winds uprooted several electric poles, while a landslide at Tribal Circuit Doyang affected the reception and cafeteria building of an office complex.

Zunheboto district reported a landslide in the Atoizu sub-division, while Peren district experienced road blockages between Vamsi Akilesh and New Ngaulong.

While there has been no report of human casualties, the government has urged people to remain alert as the monsoon intensifies, stressing the need to prioritise the protection of lives and property.

Over 100 tourists remain stranded in Lachen village, whose evacuation will be attempted on Tuesday, said District Magistrate Anant Jain.

Over 1,600 tourists were evacuated from two north Sikkim towns after rain-triggered landslides blocked roads leading to Gangtok and out of the state. Stranded since May 29, the tourists in Lachung and Chungthang towns were evacuated in over 200 vehicles through the Phidang bridge.

Despite the evacuation that began after Border Roads Organisation (BRO) restored road connectivity to Lachung in Mangan district, over 100 tourists remain stranded in Lachen village amid a landslide in Chhaten, per Sikkim Director General of Police Akshay Sachdeva. District Magistrate Anant Jain has assured they will be evacuated by Tuesday, hinting at the possibility of deploying helicopters if weather permits.

Search is on for newly-wed Uttar Pradesh couple Ankita Singh (26) and Kaushalendra Pratap Singh (32), who have been missing since May 29 after the vehicle in Munshithang carrying them and nine others plunged nearly 1,000 feet into the Teesta river between Chungthang and Munshithang. Among the others missing after the accident are Odisha BJP leader Itishree Jena and three members of her family.

Incessant rainfall since May 29 triggered landslides in several parts of Mangan district, causing partial damage to bridges in Phidang and Sangkalang and disrupting road connectivity for several days.

With rainfall exceeding 130 mm, major damage occurred along the routes to key tourist destinations, including Lachen, Lachung, Gurudongmar, the Valley of Flowers and Zero Point.

The disaster caused the formation of breaches at multiple locations, damage to bridges and large-scale landslides across vital road stretches, including the Dikchu-Sanklang -Shipgyere road, Chungthang-Lachen-Zeema and Chungthang-Lachung roads. These routes, which serve as essential links toward Lachen and Lachung, were left completely cut off.

Further, two crucial bailey bridges along the Lachen axis got washed away.

The BRO teams cleared debris, reconstructed damaged stretches and the dangerous breach near the suspension bridge at Phidang for one-way vehicular connectivity towards Lachung to pave the way for the evacuation of stranded tourists via the Lachung-Chungthang-Shipgyere-Sanklang-Dikchu road.

At least 34 people have died in floods and landslides in the northeastern states — Assam, Manipur, Tripura, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and others — over the last three days.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured of every possible help to the flood-hit areas. He has spoken to the Chief Ministers of Assam, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh and the Governor of Manipur.

Among those rescued were injured army personnel currently undergoing medical treatment, their family members, and tourists.

The Indian Army is leading searches to look for missing officers, men, and their family members following the massive landslide in Chaten in North Sikkim.

Following the devastating landslide that struck North Sikkim, the Army is also working relentlessly under extreme weather and hazardous terrain conditions to assist residents and stranded tourists.

Lachen village, the main hub for tourism in the region, has been completely cut off. The Army has established foot connectivity to the village and reached out to 113 stranded tourists, who will be evacuated soon. 

Air Force helicopters are also tirelessly undertaking Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. On Tuesday, 34 tourists, including two US nationals, were successfully airlifted by military helicopters from landslide-struck Chaten region. The first group of stranded people landed safely at Pakyong greenfield airport.

Among those rescued were injured army personnel currently undergoing medical treatment, their family members, and tourists. The first sortie by the helicopter carried 30 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to help in rescue in North Sikkim. These teams are equipped with satellite phones and other emergency supplies.

Meanwhile, search operations continue with urgency to locate the six individuals still missing after the landslide struck a military camp at Chaten. 

The missing persons include Lieutenant Colonel Pritpal Singh Sandhu, Subedar Dharamveer, Naik Sunilal Muchahary, Sepoy Sainudheen PK, Squadron Leader Aarti Sandhu (Retd), wife of Lieutenant Colonel Sandhu, and their daughter Miss Amayra Sandhu. The Army has deployed specialised teams and engineering equipment; however, the ongoing efforts have been significantly hampered by extremely bad weather, unstable ground, and the challenging high-altitude terrain.

The Army says it remains unwavering in its commitment – every life matters, and every effort to locate the missing persons continues.

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang held a high-level meeting on the situation. He said, “Today, I convened a high-level meeting with the Chief Secretary and senior officials from the Planning and Land and Revenue Departments to take stock of the concerning situation in Mangan district. What is unfolding is truly heartbreaking. Our people are facing immense hardship due to this natural calamity, and my heart goes out to every family affected.”

“I have directed all departments to act swiftly and in close coordination with the NDRF, SDRF, BRO, TAAS, and other concerned agencies to ensure that rescue and relief operations are carried out without delay. Every possible effort is being made to reach those in need,” Prem Singh Tamang added.

Appealing for patience and calm, the Chief Minister said, “I sincerely urge all residents and tourists not to panic. Trust that your government is doing everything within its power to manage the situation and protect lives. We are with you at every step, and we will not rest until safety and normalcy are restored.”

“In these trying times, I appeal for unity, strength, and cooperation from everyone. Let us stand together as one family, and we will overcome this challenge with courage and compassion,” Mr Tamang said, seeking cooperation of those affected by the landslides

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang said the recent ascent of Kanchenjunga from the Nepal side has hurt the state’s indigenous communities.

The Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has written to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to hold talks with Nepal to bring into effect a ban on scaling Mt Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain peak in the world, as it is regarded sacred by the people of his state. Climbing the Kanchenjunga is not allowed from the Sikkimese side and mountaineers scale the peak from the Nepal side.

In the letter, Mr Tamang referred to the May 18 ascent of the peak by a five-member team from the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS) from the Nepal side, adding that this has hurt Sikkim’s indigenous communities.

The Chief Minister wrote, “Mount Khangchendzonga holds profound spiritual and religious significance for the people of Sikkim. Regarded as the most sacred mountain in the state its name translates to “Five Treasures Of The High Snows”, symbolising five divine treasures. According to the Sikkimese belief system, these treasures remain hidden and shall be revealed only to the devout when the world is in grave peril.”

“The mountain is revered as the abode of the principal guardian and protector-deity of Sikkim known as the ‘Dzoe-Nga’. This sacred being is worshipped as the ‘Pho-Lha,’ or chief of the entire assemblage of supernatural entities of Sikkim. These deities were recognised and anointed as the ‘Guardian Deities of the Land’ by Ugyen Guru Rinpoche, also known as Guru Padmasambhava, the patron saint of Sikkim,” he further wrote.

Asking for a complete ban on mountaineering activities on the mountain, the Mr Tamang wrote the move will be “in deference to the deeply-held beliefs and cultural values of the people of Sikkim”.

His letter comes after Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) raised the issue with the authorities. On April 4 this year, the SIBLAC wrote to the Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur, seeking his immediate attention for safeguarding the cultural and spiritual heritage of Sikkim.

“The Government of Sikkim in 2001, banned expeditions to Mount Khangchendzongna under the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which protects sacred sites. This ban was reinforced by Article 371 (F) of the Indian Constitution, which safeguards Sikkim’s cultural and religious laws post its 1975 merger with India, under which there exists a law prohibiting the climbing of this mountain. Additionally, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, revoked its earlier decision to open this mountain in September 2019, removing Kanchenjunga and thirteen other sacred peaks from the list of open peaks”, the SIBLAC said in a letter to the Governor.  

The Indian Army’s NIMAS, located at Dirang in Arunachal Pradesh, summitted Mount Kangchenjunga (8,586 metres), as part of the  ‘Har Shikhar Tiranga’ Mission, a patriotic mission to hoist the Indian national flag atop the highest peak of each of India’s 28 states. The summitting of the Kanchenjunga has secured a 100 per cent success for the NIMAS.

“This wasn’t just another expedition for us. This was the final summit of the iconic Har Shikhar Tiranga Mission – a journey to hoist the Tricolour on the highest peak of every Indian state. With this climb, Team NIMAS has etched history – completing a mission that fused adventure, patriotism, and purpose. 5 team members, 100 per cent success, and a summit that tested every ounce of our will. To all those who believed, supported, and prayed , this one is for you. And to the mighty Kangchenjunga – you humbled us, and you made us better,” the mountaineering team from NIMAS said.

The NIMAS team summitted the Kanchenjunga using the normal route that mountaineers use, which is climbing the mountain from the Nepal side and sources say the expedition was conducted with utmost respect and reverence to all beliefs. The mountain is accessible to mountaineers and Nepal has not imposed any ban on the climbing of the mountain. Sources familiar with the expedition told NDTV that they were surprised the summiting of the peak has become an issue.

“Mountaineering activity continues at the Kanchenjunga normally and the team summitted the peak like all other expeditions from across the world. Keeping our beliefs in mind, all efforts were taken to keep the sanctity and spiritual sensibilities intact and the expedition was conducted with utmost respect,” the team said.

According to Nepal’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, from March 1 to April 25 this year, 41 climbers received permits to scale Mt Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest peak, within the climbing season which is usually limited to a period of one-and-a-half months every year. The Government of Nepal collects royalty fees from climbers and issues permits and it is a major economic activity and source of revenue for Nepal. This year, the revenue earned from royalty fees amounted to $73,800 between March 1 to April 25.

However, no expeditions to the mountain have taken place from the Indian side over the last two decades in deference to the customs and beliefs of the people of Sikkim who regard climbing of the peak as the desecration of the mountain. The Kanchenjunga, till today, remains the highest in terms of the fatality rate for mountaineers and it is considered more difficult to climb than Mount Everest, the highest mountain peak in the world.

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!