Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
India

Flash floods in Sikkim another reminder for being more sensitive to local ecologies: Jairam

Darpan News Desk IANS, 04 Oct, 2023 02:08 PM
  • Flash floods in Sikkim another reminder for being more sensitive to local ecologies: Jairam

New Delhi, Oct 4 (IANS) Congress leader and former environment minister Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday condoled the death of people who lost their lives in the flash floods in Teesta river in Sikkim.

He said that it is yet another reminder of how we must learn to be more sensitive to local ecologies while planning for and executing hydel projects especially in fragile areas.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Ramesh who is also the Congress General Secretary Communication in-charge said: “The flash floods on the Teesta in Sikkim that have taken the lives of a number of people including army personnel is most anguishing. The nation grieves at this tragedy. It is yet another reminder of how we must learn to be more sensitive to local ecologies while planning for and executing hydel projects especially in fragile areas.”

He said that I don’t wish to say more at this painful moment except to recall my insistence as Minister on cumulative, comprehensive and credible environmental impact assessments before embarking on building dams.

“It is a tough call but hard decisions sometimes are called for to avoid such disasters. But we never seem to learn,” the Rajya Sabha MP added.

His remarks came after a cloud burst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim resulted in a flash flood in the Teesta River in Lachen Valley on Wednesday.

According to the reports, the floods started around 1.30 a.m. Twenty-three army personnel have been reported missing and 41 vehicles submerged under the slush.

The Border Road Organisation (BRO) has launched rescue operations and 80 locals have been safely evacuated so far.

Flash floods in Sikkim were compounded by release of water from the Chungthang dam that led to a sudden increase in water levels up to 15-20 feet high downstream.

MORE India ARTICLES

12 kg heroin dropped by Pak drone seized in Punjab, three held

12 kg heroin dropped by Pak drone seized in Punjab, three held
 DGP Yadav said following intelligence inputs that some drug smugglers have retrieved the heroin consignment dropped via drone and they are going to deliver it in a car, Amritsar Rural Police conducted a special police checking near Beharwal village.  

12 kg heroin dropped by Pak drone seized in Punjab, three held

Punjab seeks norms relaxation to assist flood-hit

Punjab seeks norms relaxation to assist flood-hit
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has already written a letter to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, saying there is no shortfall in the state disaster relief funds to compensate the victims, and only a change in the norms for compensating the damage is required so that the loss of people can be fully compensated.  

Punjab seeks norms relaxation to assist flood-hit

'Violence in Manipur unpardonable', says PM Modi; calls INDIA 'Ghamandiya Gathbandhan'

'Violence in Manipur unpardonable', says PM Modi; calls INDIA 'Ghamandiya Gathbandhan'
In his more than two-hour long reply to the no-confidence motion, the Prime Minister gave an assurance that peace will prevail in Manipur, and that it will march forward on the path of development. The BJP-ruled state government in Manipur has been trying to resolve the situation prevailing there for the past six years and the efforts will continue in the future too. 

'Violence in Manipur unpardonable', says PM Modi; calls INDIA 'Ghamandiya Gathbandhan'

Fake call centre cheating US citizens busted in Goa

Fake call centre cheating US citizens busted in Goa
The accused persons were directing the victims to pay processing fee/security deposit through online options such as Google Pay gift card, Apple Pay gift card, Walmart gift card and Target gift card.  

Fake call centre cheating US citizens busted in Goa

Smriti Irani slams Rahul Gandhi over his alleged gesture of flying kiss

Smriti Irani slams Rahul Gandhi over his alleged gesture of flying kiss
“Never before has the misogynistic behaviour of a man been so visible in Parliament as what was done by Rahul Gandhi today. When the House of the people, where laws are made to protect the dignity of women, during the course of a session stands witness to a man's misogyny, my question is should he be brought to task?” Irani told reporters here

Smriti Irani slams Rahul Gandhi over his alleged gesture of flying kiss

Manipur unrest: ITLF delegation meets Amit Shah

Manipur unrest: ITLF delegation meets Amit Shah
During the meeting, Shah assured that the deployment of the Central forces in the state will be further strengthened and reoriented to plug vulnerable gap areas, the statement said.  The Home Minister also assured that necessary arrangements will also be made to facilitate transportation and identification of dead bodies, it claimed.     

Manipur unrest: ITLF delegation meets Amit Shah