Sikkim floods: Congress seeks ‘revised approach’; WB Guv offers ‘solution’

Reacting to the Sikkim flash floods, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge asked the Centre to "recalibrate its strategy in dealing with ecologically fragile Himalayan states" while West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose stressed the importance of balancing development and conservation.

Kharge expressed deep concern over the dire situation in Sikkim and urged the Central government to declare both the Sikkim flash floods and Himachal Pradesh floods as national disasters.

He also conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims of the Sikkim flash floods.

"Our thoughts are with the people of Sikkim who are battling these distressing times. The Union government must do everything possible to rescue people in safer locations and find the missing persons, whose count is reportedly steadily increasing," Kharge posted on X.

He said a lot of damage has been done to the infrastructure, and the Union and the state government must work together in the medium and long terms to rebuild this beautiful state. The Congress party and its workers shall help in all possible ways in this humanitarian crisis, he said.

"The Union government must recalibrate its strategy in dealing with ecologically fragile Himalayan states and must declare such tragedies, like Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh, as natural disasters so that these states get adequate funds to rebuild themselves in a more sustainable manner," the Congress chief said.

Former party chief Rahul Gandhi urged Congress workers to assist authorities in relief and rescue operations and hoped for the safe return of all missing individuals, including soldiers.

Governor assesses damage

On the other hand, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose reached Siliguri from Kolkata to take an aerial survey of the flood-affected districts of Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, and Cooch Behar.

Speaking to reporters on the way to the flood-affected areas of northern West Bengal, he said a permanent solution should be found so that such calamities do not strike again.

"I would like to see as many places as possible so that I can have a feel of what is happening on the ground. More than that, I would like to go to the camps and listen to the people — their views, sentiments and grievances. Also, what are their views on preventing such things in the future," he told reporters at Seti Jhora.

"There are various reasons behind these disasters. Specific studies have to be done and assessments made. I can say from my experience in disaster management that these accidents are not accidental. In the name of development, we are destroying ecology," he added.

The governor said that there should be a balance between development and conservation.

"Back to nature is the permanent answer to this," he said.

A flash flood in the Teesta river in Sikkim inundated the northern plains of West Bengal, due to which thousands of people were moved out of their houses.

The flash flood, triggered by a cloudburst in Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim on Wednesday, caused the accumulation of huge quantity of water, which turned towards Chungthang dam destroying the power infrastructure before moving downstream in spate.

Fourteen people have died and 102 others, including 22 army personnel, were missing in Sikkim due to the disaster.

(With agency inputs)