Sikkim: Assembly Pays Tribute to Flash Flood Victims in Opening Session

GANGTOK: The Sikkim Assembly convened its first session of the three-day meeting by solemnly paying tribute to the victims of the flash floods that occurred in the state last month. Speaker Arun Kumar Upreti led the proceedings, reading out a resolution expressing condolences for the 42 lives lost during the flash floods on October 4.

In a display of unity, all members of the House, including Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, rose to their feet in a mark of respect for the flood victims. The assembly deliberated on various aspects of the natural disaster, which severely affected Sikkim. The flash floods were triggered when the Lhonak glacial lake burst, releasing a torrent of water into the Teesta River, causing widespread flooding in the river basin areas across four districts and resulting in extensive damage to infrastructure, roads, and communication networks.

Speakers at the session emphasized the importance of setting aside differences and working together as a collective effort to rebuild the flood-affected regions. They underscored the urgency of restoring road and communication infrastructure to enable the resumption of normal life for the people of the state.

While conducting legislative business, a total of six bills were introduced in the House, which will be under discussion over the next two days, addressing various issues relevant to the state's governance and welfare.

Earlier, former Indian football captain, Bhaichung Bhutia, has raised concerns about the delayed response by the Prem Singh Tamang government following the catastrophic bursting of the Lhonak glacial lake, which triggered flash floods and claimed numerous lives in the Himalayan state. The bursting of the Lhonak glacial lake unleashed a massive deluge, causing the Teesta River to swell and subsequently triggering flash floods across the river basin. The calamity has affected four Sikkim districts, resulting in the tragic loss of 42 lives, including 15 army personnel, with 77 individuals still missing and 30 others sustaining injuries.

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