New Delhi: Government has disbursed Rs 14.21 crore as relief among quake-hit people in Sikkim while experts from National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) are being sent to provide psycho- social care to the people affected by the natural calamity.
Home Ministry officials said though most of the roads blocked following landslides have been reopened, some were still blocked as Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and Army Engineers were working for their restoration.
"A total of Rs 14.21 crore has been disbursed as relief by the state government till date. A five-member team of experts from NIMHANS, Bangalore to provide psycho-social care is on its way to Sikkim. The team is likely to reach Siliguri today," an official said. Due to incessant rains, landslides have occurred in Dzongu. No casualty has been reported but relief work is being carried out by National Disaster Response Force, state police and NGOs.
However, relief activities, including airlifting of victims, are not being carried out in Chugthang, Lachen and Lachung due to heavy rains.
Approximately 11,000 food packets have been air dropped so far in the northern part of North District. A total of 1,500 food packets were airdropped yesterday. The airdropping of food packets today was stalled due to inclement weather. The Sikkim government has opened 85 relief camps. 2,700 and 550 people have been provided shelter in two army and ITBP (Pegong) camps respectively.
PTI