Massive relief and rescue operations are on in the Quake affected States of Sikkim, Bihar and West Bengal. The death toll in Sunday's earthquake in the country has gone up to 85 with fifty three deaths in Sikkim, 20 in Bihar and 12 in West Bengal.Talking to reporters in New Delhi, the Union Home secretary R K Singh on Tuesday said five team of NDRF have reached Mangan. Mr Singh said communication network has been restored in the state. He said roads from Gangtok to Mangan have also been opened.The NDMA’s Joint Advisor, Operation, Colonel Shashi Bhusan told AIR correspondent that five more additional teams of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) will be reaching earthquake affected areas of Sikkim this evening. He said that one team has already reached the most devastated Mangan district of Sikkim. He added that five teams including over two hundred persons of NDMA are already working in earthquake hit areas.AIR correspondent reports, over 5,000 troops, six transport aircraft and a total of 15 helicopters have been deployed by the armed forces in Sikkim to carry out relief operations.AIR Sikkim Correspondent reports that the death toll in the worst affected North Sikkim district has risen to forty. Relief and rescue operations are continuing on a war footing. The General Officer Commanding -in- Chief of the Eastern Command of the Army called on the Governor and Chief Minister and assured all help in relief and rescue operations.In West Bengal, death toll in the quake related incidents has gone up to 12. Relief and restoration works are on in worst hit Kurseong, Kalimpong sub-division in Darjeeling hill and other parts of north Bengal. The state government has taken all possible steps to rescue stranded tourists in Sikkim. In Bihar, relief and rescue operations are in full swing in earthquake affected areas of the state. 12 more persons succumbed to their injuries in Darbhanga, Madhubani, Samastipur, Begusarai, Araria and Sitamarhi districts taking the death toll due to the earthquake in the state to 20. The state government has instructed officials to assess the damage caused due to the quake. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today reviewed the situation with officials of Disaster Management Department and instructed the district authorities to provide all possible help to the victims.
News On AIR | September 20, 2011 6:02 PM
Quack: toll reaches 85, massive relieve rescue operation on