Gangtok district administration identifies locations vulnerable to landslides

‘Sokpey landslide an issue of concern,’ says DC 

PTI, GANGTOK, MARCH 28, 2023 : Zilla Adhyaksha Gangtok Balaram Adhikari, chaired a monsoon preparedness meeting 2023 on Tuesday at the Zilla Panchayat Conference Hall, Sichey. 

The meeting was organized by the District Disaster Management Authority, Gangtok District.Balaram Adhikari said that such meetings were important as they forewarned the concerned departments and citizens about unforeseen natural disasters. 

He hoped that this meeting would bring solution to the problems before the monsoon season began in full swing. He requested NGOs, schools, BDOs and panchayat members to be involved in disaster management activities. 

District Collector Gangtok Tushar Nikhare, who is also the Chairman of District Disaster Management Authority spoke about the Sokpey landslide which had now become an issue of concern. 

He said the need of the hour for the State was the participation of concerned departments to protect vulnerable areas from landslides. 

He also sought the active cooperation from the General Reserve Engineering Force and the army in tackling monsoon related natural disasters. 

Physical and environmental factors as reasons for natural disasters were discussed. Many vulnerable areas were identified and immediate safety measures to avoid disruptive calamities in specific locations like Barpipal, Manbir Colony, Tamang Gumpa, Chandmari stretch, Forest checkpost stretch, Mariegold stretch, Sirwani, Ralap, 

Adampool highway and the road leading from Ranipool to Burtuk were discussed. Issues such as jhoras, drainage system, dengue epidemic, hanging cables over pedestrian walking areas and standard operating procedures for disaster management were reviewed. 

The District Collector asked the BDOs to inspect vulnerable rural areas in coordination with the panchayats. He also requested the departments to give a list of jhoras and drainage system which could possibly pose threats to citizens and sources of livelihood.