NIMHANS to provide psycho-social care to Sikkimquake Victims

Gangtok: The Government of Sikkim has disbursed Rs 14.21 crore as relief among quake-hit people in Sikkim while experts from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, were sent to provide psycho-social care to the people affected by the natural calamity.

A five-member team comprising psychiatrists from the Department of Psychiatric Social Work, NIMHANS, visited the quake site on Sunday evening. The Union Health Ministry had requested the doctors to visit the site and take stock of the situation there. “Depending on the response from the locals there, subsequent action will be taken,” said Dr Satish Chandra, Director, NIMHANS.

Home Ministry officials said though most of the roads blocked following landslides have been reopened, some were still blocked as Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and Army engineers were working for their restoration.

“A total of `14.21 crore has been disbursed as relief by the state government till date,” officials said. Due to incessant rains, landslides have occurred in Dzongu. No casualty has been reported but relief work is being carried out by the National Disaster Response Force, state police and NGOs.

However, relief activities, including airlifting of victims, are not being carried out in Chugthang, Lachen and Lachung due to heavy rains. Approximately 11,000 food packets have been air dropped so far in the northern part of the North District. However, the airdropping of food packets on Monday was stalled due to inclement weather.