400 foreign tourists stranded in Sikkim

New Delhi, Sept 21 (PTI) The Centre has constituted an
inter-Ministerial team to visit the north-eastern state Sikkim
to take stock of the damage following Sunday's devastating
earthquake amid fresh reports that 400 foreign tourists were
stranded in worst-hit North Sikkim.
Home Minister P Chidambaram will also visit Sikkim
Thursday to review the rescue and relief operations being
undertaken in the Himalayan state.
"The Centre has constituted an inter-Ministerial team to
visit the affected places in the state and give its
recommendations for assistance from the National Disaster
Response Fund," a Home Ministry official said.
He said about 400 foreigners are reported to be stranded
in North Sikkim.
The number of deaths as reported by the Sikkim government
is 57.
"This may increase further as rescue and release teams
reach further into interior areas," he said The break-up of
death toll is as follows- East District- 12, North
District-40, West District -04 and South District-01.
58 persons are injured. The State Govt has opened relief
camps in each district.
2700 and 550 people have been provided shelter into Army
camps and ITBP camp (Pengong) respectively.
A total of 5500 Army personnel have been deployed for
rescue and relief operation.
60 villages have been physically covered by the team of
Army Jawans in their search and rescue operations.
2 teams of 30 Army Jawans each with RMOs are located in
Mangan and Chungthan. 30 sorties have been done by helicopters
provided by the Ministry of Defence for airdropping and
reconnaissance.
Food packets have been airdropped in the northern part of
the North district at Myang, the official said.
He said a total of 700 houses have reportedly collapsed.
About 500 houses have been reported to be substantially
damaged. In other areas also, extensive damage to houses has
been reported.
An aerial survey was carried out by officers of the state
government and National Disaster Response Force Tuesday to
identify and list the affected villages.
The road between Mangan and Chungthan, where 16
landslides have been reported, has been opened upto 12 km
further north of Mangan.
The Border Roads Organization and Army Engineers are
working for restoration of different roads.
Sikkim has 15 sub-stations of 66 kilowatt, out of which 6
were down. Three have been restored. All the transmission
lines and sub-stations of power grid have been restored.
Power supply is normal except in the northern part of
North district. Landline and microwave links are operational.
Sufficient stock of essential commodities such as
foodgrains, petroleum products and LPG are available in the
State, the official said.
The Home Ministry has dispatched 1000 blankets and 400
extendable tents and 200 arctic tents to the affected areas,
he said.