South Sikkim Earthquake Report

have tried to give a firsthand and handy progress report of the South District with a hope that
this will encourage active community participation and better co-ordination among various
agencies. That way this may be taken as one of our attempts to involve communities in
earthquake preparedness since public awareness is at the heart of preparedness. And we
are intended to take out a quarterly magazine on disaster preparedness on a regular basis
from our side for this purpose. Miles to go……and we are gearing for that with a pray that such
things never happen in our life.
Our efforts in responding to the earthquake of 18th September, 2011 have been appreciated
by all the sections, outside agencies and our preparedness have been tested well in the
crisis. At the outset, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the officers, employees and civil
societies for the hard work done by them during this crisis and active support extended to the
district administration during and after the crisis. The police led by the Superintendent of Police,
South Mr. Manoj Tiwari, IPS needs a special mention here who played an extraordinary role in
communication and rescue operations during the earthquake. So is about all the BDOs led
by the ADC, Development Mr. D. K. Pradhan, the Namchi Municipal Council, Jorethang Nagar
Panchayat, NGOs coordinated by Mr Gagan Rai, Chairman, Temi Tea Board, other public
representatives and power project companies apart from the then Sub-Divisional Magistrates
Raj Kumar, IAS, Suman Thapa and P. K. Rai too for their special efforts in responding to the
situation. My colleagues Gloria Namchu, SCS, SDM/Namchi, Karma Bonpo, IAS, SDM/HQ,
Pempa Sherpa, District Project Officer, Abhishek Kharel, Training Officer have taken out time
from their routine work to prepare this booklet and I want to extend my thanks to them.
I hope that this of our effort will meet its objectives and will prove useful and helpful for common
public making them more ready to face such challenges.
A.K.Singh IAS
District Collector, South Sikkim
SOUTH SIKKIM EARTHQUAKE REPORT
7
September 18 2011