Close X
Sunday, November 10, 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

Modi becomes first Indian PM to receive France's highest award

Modi becomes first Indian PM to receive France's highest award
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, France's highest award, by French President Emmanuel Macron. He is the first Indian Prime Minister to receive the honour.

Modi becomes first Indian PM to receive France's highest award

Delhi excise policy scam case: SC issues notice on Sisodia's pleas, to hear interim bail on July 28

Delhi excise policy scam case: SC issues notice on Sisodia's pleas, to hear interim bail on July 28
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Sisodia, urged the apex court to grant Sisodia interim bail to meet his ailing wife. On it, the court issued notice and posted the matter for hearing on application for interim bail on July 28.   

Delhi excise policy scam case: SC issues notice on Sisodia's pleas, to hear interim bail on July 28

UCC not in nation’s interest: Akali Dal

UCC not in nation’s interest: Akali Dal
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Friday said that the 22nd Law Commission which proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) was not in nation’s interest. SAD said that enforcing UCC without a genuine countrywide inter-faith consensus, especially among minorities, would violate the spirit of the Constitution and generate fear.

UCC not in nation’s interest: Akali Dal

Punjab to provide free paddy saplings to flood-hit farmers: Mann

Punjab to provide free paddy saplings to flood-hit farmers: Mann
The Chief Minister, who visited Nihala Lavera village in Ferozepur district to oversee flood relief operations, said that a special ‘girdwari’ will be conducted to ascertain the loss of crops, houses and others due to heavy rainfall in the state. He said that he has extensively touted the state to gauge the situation at the grassroot level.

Punjab to provide free paddy saplings to flood-hit farmers: Mann

Modi meets Chanel CEO, discusses ways to make Khadi a global brand

Modi meets Chanel CEO, discusses ways to make Khadi a global brand
The Chanel CEO said after meeting Modi that he was quite keen to support women and girls in business. The Prime Minister is really interested in ensuring that India becomes an investment hub for everyone, Nair said.

Modi meets Chanel CEO, discusses ways to make Khadi a global brand

Delhi excise policy case: SC to hear AAP leader Manish Sisodia's bail pleas on Friday

Delhi excise policy case: SC to hear AAP leader Manish Sisodia's bail pleas on Friday
As per the cause list published on the apex court website, a bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Bela M Trivedi will hear the two petitions filed by the senior AAP leader challenging decisions of the Delhi High Court denying him bail in the CBI and the ED cases, respectively.

Delhi excise policy case: SC to hear AAP leader Manish Sisodia's bail pleas on Friday