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Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Earthquake mock drills conducted across Himachal Pradesh to check disaster management preparedness
Kullu: Sirens wailed and emergency teams mobilised across Himachal Pradesh on Friday as the state conducted a large-scale earthquake preparedness drill designed to test its disaster response systems and inter-agency coordination. Simulating a massive magnitude 8.0 earthquake with its epicentre in Kangra, the mock operation unfolded simultaneously in all 12 districts, affecting sites from remote mountain towns to busy city centres. In Kullu, the scenario imagined aftershocks causing destruction across seven locations. These included damage to a community health centre in Tegubehar, a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) near Manali's Aleu area, structural collapse at the Bhutnath Bridge and Tibetan Market, and dam damage in Sainj Valley. The district's deputy commissioner, Torul S Ravish, said the simulation helped assess the coordination and response time of government departments, and highlighted areas for improvement. "Mock drills allow us to identify gaps in disaster preparedness and fine-tune our coordination mechanisms. We are committed to addressing the shortcomings identified today," Ravish said. In Mandi, key sites including the Indira Market complex and Regional Hospital staged scenarios ranging from flash floods to landslides and fire incidents. The control room was activated under deputy commissioner Apoorva Devgan, with real-time supervision from police and civil officials. Emergency teams responded to simulated floods near Balichowki and canal damage in Sundernagar, while a mock fire broke out at Karsog Degree College. In Lahaul-Spiti, one of India's most remote districts, responders enacted a full rescue operation after a simulated building collapse and fire near Keylong police ground. Deputy commissioner Kiran Bhardwaj oversaw the exercise, which included ambulance evacuations, search and rescue, and triage of the injured. Parallel drills occurred in Udaipur, Kaza and Kukumseri, where scenarios included landslides and collapsed school and residential buildings. Bhardwaj said: "Our teams responded swiftly. The exercise demonstrated commendable coordination between police, paramilitary forces, medical staff and community volunteers." At Kaza's Govt Senior Secondary School, an earthquake-induced landslide simulation left 20 mock casualties, including eight seriously injured. Rescue teams, including the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), evacuated victims to a relief camp set up for treatment. Similar drills were carried out across other districts, including Shimla, Kangra, Chamba, Solan, Bilaspur, Una, Hamirpur, Sirmaur and Kinnaur, each simulating region-specific disaster scenarios. The statewide exercise, coordinated by the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority, was aimed at stress-testing the government's readiness for seismic disasters in the quake-prone Himalayan region. Authorities said this kind of drills are crucial to saving lives when real disasters strike — by improving response times, clarifying agency roles, and building public awareness in vulnerable mountain communities. MSID:: 121676469 413 | Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
Hans India
6 days ago
- Hans India
Tourists airlifted after landslide, Sikkim remains open for travel: CM Tamang
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Thursday said that only the Lachen and Lachung sectors in the northern part of the mountain state are closed to visitors at the moment, and the rest of the tourist places are now open for tourists. "Sikkim continues to welcome tourists. All six districts, not just Mangan, have beautiful destinations open for travel," he said, urging tourists to explore the various naturally blissful places of the state. He also addressed recent misinformation surrounding infrastructure damage in the region. It was previously reported that five bridges were washed away during the 2023 Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF). However, the CM clarified that these bridges were damaged during this year's monsoon due to unusually heavy rainfall. Chief Minister Tamang added that the state, with support from the Central government, is committed to long-term development and is focusing on rebuilding and strengthening all vulnerable bridges across Sikkim to prevent future disruptions. Despite the temporary setback in North Sikkim, officials emphasised that the rest of the state remains safe, accessible, and welcoming for tourists. Nearly 1,500 tourists were stranded in the popular North Sikkim destinations of Lachen and Lachung after the Phidang bridge - considered the region's lifeline - was severely damaged. The situation was further complicated by a landslide in the Chhaten Army camp near Lachen, making road evacuation impossible. While all tourists in Lachung were successfully evacuated earlier, rescue operations in Lachen had to be carried out by air. The evacuation is currently being conducted in phases, with half of the stranded tourists airlifted on Tuesday and the rest being flown out today. The first air sorties were deployed from the army helipad in Chhaten, where both tourists and military personnel are being rescued. They are being transported to the Greenfield Airport in Pakyong.
NDTV
01-06-2025
- Climate
- NDTV
Over 1,200 Tourists Stranded Amid Rain, Landslides, Rising Rivers In Sikkim
Guwahati: As monsoon tightens its grip on North Sikkim, more than 1,276 domestic tourists and two foreign nationals remain stranded in the picturesque but now perilous valleys of Lachen and Lachung in Mangan district. The situation, triggered by continuous rainfall, landslides, and rising water in the river Teesta, has brought both travel and rescue efforts to a standstill. Evacuation was scheduled for Sunday, but fresh landslides have come in the way. Eight tourists who went missing on May 29 after their vehicle plunged into the Teesta River at Munshithang, ae yet to be traced. In Dzongu, the Phidang Bailey bridge -- newly built after the devastating Glacial Lake Outburst Flood in 2023 -- has suffered structural damage in its base due to the surging waters. The bridge, which acts as a lifeline connecting the isolated Dzongu constituency, is now only passable on foot. Local authorities and the GREF (General Reserve Engineer Force) managed to restore partial access for emergency services on Sunday, but the damage is extensive. "A fresh landslide in Shipgyer, Upper Dzongu, on Friday night blocked the route, forcing a delay... With roads cut off and communication lines fragile, the region remains in a precarious," said Sonam Detchu Bhutia, a senior police officer of Mangan. "The condition of roads in North Sikkim is pathetic. Around 700 to 800 tourists may still be stranded in the higher reaches. The Phidang bridge was our only hope, and even that's now under threat," said Sonam Kipa Bhutia, Zilla Panchayat Upadhakshya of Mangan District.
India Gazette
25-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
PM Modi to visit Gangtok on March 29 for Sikkim statehood day celebrations
Gangtok (Sikkim) [India],May 25 (ANI) : The Government of Sikkim along with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is all set to host Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gangtok on March 29 for the Statehood Day celebrations. Addressing media persons here, BJP Sikkim President DR Thapa said that the people of Sikkim are eagerly awaiting the Prime Minister's visit . He stated that the visit would mark the beginning of new opportunities and developmental projects for the state. 'He will inaugurate many infrastructural projects across Sikkim and also lay the foundation stone of several upcoming initiatives,' Thapa said. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Sikkim's statehood, Thapa extended warm greetings to the people of the state. He also paid tribute to those who played a role in Sikkim's merger with India. Remembering the leaders of the state, he said, 'On this occasion, I want to thank all those who were involved in the merger of Sikkim with India. I remember all the six Chief Ministers and their teams of Independent Sikkim from first Chief Minister LD Kazi to Nar Bahadur Bhandari, Sanchaman Limboo, BB Gurung, Pawan Chamling, and incumbent Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang Golay for all their work and efforts.' Referring to Prime Minister's address at the recent Rising Northeast Investors Meet, Thapa said that it opened new avenues for all northeastern states, including Sikkim. He emphasized the need for Sikkim to seize these opportunities. Thapa also said that several long-pending demands of the state will be raised during the Prime Minister's visit. These include safeguarding Article 371F, inclusion of 12 left-out communities of Sikkim under tribal status, and the demand for separate Limboo-Tamang seats in the State Assembly, among other political issues. He further mentioned that the matter of reconstruction of National Highway 10, which suffered damage from North Sikkim to Siliguri in West Bengal following the recent Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), will also be taken up with the Prime Minister. In view of Sikkim's unpredictable weather conditions, and to ensure the visit is not disrupted, Thapa shared that party workers and citizens are conducting prayers and rituals across the state. 'The party delegation is doing Puja and rituals in temples, monasteries, churches, and mosques across Sikkim for seeking blessings for clear weather on that day,' he said.(ANI)
Hindustan Times
26-04-2025
- Hindustan Times
1,800 tourists still stuck in Sikkim's Lachen, Lachung after landslides
Siliguri: At least 1,800 tourists remain stranded in north Sikkim after roads were damaged following landslides in the region on Thursday, Sikkim government official said. The official added that around 560 tourists are stuck in Lachen and another 1,200 in Lachung, two high-altitude hill stations in north Sikkim. 'The road between Lachung and Chungthang is expected to be opened by Saturday evening. But the road between Lachen and Chungthang will take some time to be opened. Tourists stranded even in Lachen would be taken out making detour via Lachung,' Mangan's superintendent of police Sonam Detchu Bhutia said. On Friday, 1,200 tourists were reportedly stranded, but an officer said that, according to new reports on Saturday, around 1,800 tourists are currently expected to be in Lachen and Lachung. Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) along with locals residents and police are working to restore the road connectivity. Telephone lines and electricity are still working, said the officer, adding that tourists have been asked to stay in hotels until they are rescued. 'All hotels at Lachen are providing free lodging and food to the stranded tourists in their respective hotels where they were already staying,' president of Lachen Hotel Owners' Association Rinam Lachenpa told HT. 'If required we will help the stranded tourists to move out on foot. In that case they need to walk at some places where the road is blocked. In between they will travel in vehicles,' Lachenpa added. According to an official communication received on Thursday night, significant landslides have occurred at Munshithang on the Lachen–Chungthang road and at Lema/Bob on the Lachung–Chungthang stretch. The district administration has directed tour operators not to send tourists to north Sikkim under any circumstances till the situation said that all travel permits for north Sikkim for Friday have been cancelled, including those already issued in advance due to the road condition. Tourists who could not reach to Lachen and Lachung due to landslides on Thursday were rescued on Friday morning and given shelters and food at different locations in Chungthang. Around 57 tourists stranded on the way were given shelters in local villages on Thursday night. They have been safely moved to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. Lachen was among the places in Sikkim that were worst hit due to the October 2023 Glacial Lake Outburst Flood. It was disconnected for almost one and half years. It opened up to tourists this year from March.
