Joint assessment of landslide-affected areas in Daramdin constituency

SORENG, (IPR): A two-day joint assessment was conducted from 9th to 10th July by the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA), Land Revenue & Disaster Management Department (LR&DMD), and District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Soreng, following extensive monsoon-induced landslides across the Daramdin constituency.

Led by special secretary-cum-director (SSDMA) Prabhakar Rai, along with senior officials, the team evaluated damage, prioritised intervention zones, and engaged local communities to strengthen disaster preparedness.

Key sites visited by team on the first day were namely, Box Cutting Dara (Daramdin), Lungyam Lower Dara, Salangdang School, Siktam (Upper and Lower), Lower Tikpur and surrounding areas.On the second day the team visited Okhrey, Ghantidara, Pureytar, Changbagaon, Bhareng, Ribdi, and Moonew.

The assessment highlighted various aspects of disrupted road connectivity and structural damage to educational and residential infrastructure, urgent restoration requirements and precautionary measures for slope stability, CSR support from NTPC for rehabilitation of Salangdang School, community interaction for feedback and awareness-building.

During the visit on the second day, a newly identified slide at Sombarey, requiring immediate departmental attention was also visited.

Present during the visit were special secretary-cum-director (SSDMA) Prabhakar Rai, additional director (SSDMA) Rajiv Roka, ADC (I) DR Bista, SDM (HQ) Prem K Subba, DPO Rajni Pega, BDO (Daramdin) Ongdi Sherpa, AE (BAC) Samir Sharma, HR (SSDMA) Kunsang Namgyal, JE (BAC) Prabhakar Rai, and teams from LR&DMD, DDMA, line departments, panchayats, and concerned stakeholders.