MP Raju Bista speaks to NDRF, NDMA, and Disaster Management Division of Home Ministry regarding landslides in Darjeeling and Kalimpong Districts

• admin
• 13 July 2019
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I join the people from our constituency in extending my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of two elderly citizens Mr. Kumar Lopchan and his better half Bal Kumari Lopchan of Pubung Fatak under Sukhia Pokhari block due to landslides. I also extend my solidarity and support to the families of Aman Garg, Gaurav Sharma, Gopal Narwani, and Rakesh Rai, who lost their lives due to the tragic accident near Baghpul on NH-10.

I have been keeping a very close eye on the unfolding disaster and the ensuing relief and rescue operations being mounted by the District authorities. My office has been in close touch with DM Darjeeling and DM Kalimpong, and I have received regular updates from them. Throughout, I have assured them of all help and support from my side.

I have also spoken to the Director-General, National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF), Shri SN Pradhan and taken update about the situation. He informed me that NDRF has already deployed rescue and relief personnel in the region. I have asked him to provide more rescue and relief personnel so that every landslide affected village gets relief and support in a timely manner. Following my call, NDRF has set up a dedicated monitoring cell for rescue and relief operations in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts.

I have spoken to Sanjeev Kumar Jindal, Jt. Secretary, Union Home Ministry in-charge of Disaster Management and asked him to provide every help and assistance to the District authorities in Darjeeling and Kalimpong. He has assured me his complete support to provide better relief, rescue and reconstruction efforts. I have also asked him to send a Central Team to take stock of the situation.

I have also written to PM Narendra Modi ji who also happens to be the Chairman of National Disaster Management Authority, updating him about the unfolding situation and requested him to:

• Provide additional relief personnel to assist with the rescue and relief operations.
• Instruct the Border Roads Organization and other central organizations operating in the region to
  • Provide additional personnel to assist the civic administration in helping clear the roads, and
  • Provide assistance for relief and reconstruction work, at the earliest.

I request our people to kindly help civic authorities to identify places that are vulnerable so that we can reach them help before a disaster unfolds. I also request our people to help each other, and support those who are in need. Together we will overcome this situation, and we will emerge stronger as a community.