Gangtok, Sep 18: The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) under the Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department observed the State Disaster Risk Reduction Day on Thursday at Chintan Bhawan, Gangtok, commemorating the September 18, 2011 earthquake. The event was held under the theme “Empowering Communities, Safeguarding Sikkim.”
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, who is also the Chairperson of SSDMA, attended the programme as Chief Guest. He was joined by Minister for Public Health Engineering Department Sonam Lama, Advisor LRDM L.B. Das, Chief Secretary and Chairperson of the State Executive Committee R. Telang, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Secretary Manish Bhardwaj, SSDMA Vice Chairman Professor V.K. Sharma, and State Relief Commissioner and LRDM Secretary M.T. Sherpa.
In his address, the Chief Minister recalled the 2011 earthquake and the South Lhonak Lake Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) of October 2023, describing them as reminders of the state’s vulnerability to natural disasters. He stressed the need for preparedness, safe construction practices, and sustainable measures to strengthen resilience. He highlighted state initiatives such as multi-hazard risk assessments, landslide studies, glacial lake monitoring, early warning systems, and grassroots-level disaster preparedness under the Aapada Mitra scheme.
The Chief Minister informed that 1,185 officials have been inducted into SSDMA and trained in disaster management. Referring to the 2023 GLOF, he noted that the Government of India has provided financial support for relief and reconstruction works. He expressed gratitude to the Centre, NDMA, SDRF, NDRF, armed forces, state departments, and civil society groups for their support.
NDMA Secretary Manish Bhardwaj, in his address, praised Sikkim’s resilience and preparedness, citing initiatives like earthquake retrofitting, glacial lake risk mitigation, and landslide risk management. He said recovery efforts after the GLOF follow the principle of “building back better.”
Chief Secretary R. Telang highlighted the importance of community participation in preparedness and noted the state’s vulnerability to earthquakes, landslides, and climate-related challenges. He credited timely evacuation during the 2023 GLOF for saving lives.
SSDMA Vice Chairman Professor V.K. Sharma and LRDM Secretary M.T. Sherpa also addressed the gathering, underlining the progress made since the 2011 earthquake in strengthening disaster management systems.
As part of the programme, the Chief Minister was felicitated for forming the Sikkim State Disaster Management Service cadre. Six disaster management trainees from different districts were honoured for their performance during training, and winners of an inter-college quiz on disaster risk reduction were awarded. A video presentation on Sikkim’s disaster preparedness journey and training activities was also screened.
Key highlights included the release of the “Road Map for Resilient Health Infrastructure of Sikkim,” prepared by the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) with support from the Government of Sikkim and WHO, and the virtual inauguration of an Automatic Weather Station at the State Emergency Operation Center in collaboration with SEEDS India.
The event was attended by Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, senior officials, representatives of the armed forces, NDRF, SDRF, disaster management personnel, and Aapada Mitras. A live demonstration on disaster response techniques was also carried out by disaster management teams at Chintan Bhawan.
