Sikkim Govt seeks help from ISRO for surveillance over 2 lakes and to avoid yet another calamity

Digital Desk: Chief Secretary of Sikkim V. B. Pathak in a virtual conference with Union Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, stated to the top bureaucrat that the lack of telecommunication connectivity in north Sikkim had hampered rescue efforts. 

In order to restore contact, the BSNL intended to send five VSAT units and technicians via helicopter to Lachen, Lachung, Chungthang, Chatten, and Theng. Additionally, he said that the Teesta basin was brimming with weapons, ammunition, and explosives and that the Army Ammunition Depot at Munshithang, above Chungthang, had been destroyed due to the flooding. 

This was putting the general public at risk and making it challenging to remove trash and sludge, especially in surrounding areas close to the river bank. When required, the army was using controlled explosions, and people had been instructed to alert the local police if any ammunition and explosives were seen. 

The Sikkim Government reached out to Chairman ISRO and asked for monitoring over South Lhonak Lake and Shako Chu Lake for any activity to avoid yet another calamity, the Chief Secretary informed the Cabinet Secretary.