In Sikkim, the State Chief Secretary, Karma Gyatso stressed on the need of opening up north Sikkim highway up to Lachen and Lachung in the national interest immediately. He had a video conferencing on Tuesday with the Union Cabinet Secretary, R K Singh apprising him latest situation about ongoing rescue relief operation for flash flood landslides victims in affected areas. The Union Cabinet Secretary has assured all possible help to the state.Meanwhile, the District Collector and concerned departments in north district have been asked to assess the damage for further action. The Relief and rescue operation continued for searching of the missing bodies. The death toll in flash flood landslide incidents at Pegong and Rangma Rang area of north district last Friday, has risen to 20. The district administration has also disbursed the ex- gratia amount to those whose houses have been damaged in series of landslides occurred in last few days. BRO is putting all its resources into opening of the roads for vehicular traffic at the earliest. The temporary diversions will also be made for smaller vehicles. The state government on the stock availability in the cut- off areas said that there is no shortage of essential items at present and buffer stock of food grains is available for at least a month.