Natural calamities hazardous for hills, residents dwell in fear

MUKESH SHARMA Kalimpong, September 19:

 Losses incurred during last year’s earthquake

 • Rs 2565.75 lakhs under Kalimpong Municipality

 • Rs 2711.03 lakhs under Kalimpong Block I 

 • Rs 3126.25 lakhs under Kalimpong Block II

 • Rs 1199.06 lakhs under Gorubathan Block

 Losses incurred during this year’s monsoon

 • 4 crores 59 lakhs 93 thousand under Kalimpong Municipality

• 1 crore 46 lakhs 90 thousand under Kalimpong Block I 

• 2 crores 73 lakhs 95 thousand under Block II 

• 1 crore 93 thousand under Gorubathan Block 

 The hills being prone to natural calamities are deteriorating with time. The cyclone Aila followed by the massive earthquake and the adversity of monsoons recently are few examples of such calamities which have hit the hills at worse. Along with the lives much damage to the property has occurred under the Kalimpong Sub division. Till date there has been no such technique which can alert the people before the occurrence of natural mishaps. Hence, the people are compelled to live with fear in their hearts and minds that anything unexpected can happen unannounced. 

 The 2009 Aila victims till date are living in the hope that someday they will be granted aides by the State Government. The last year’s earthquake engulfed 4 lives in a fraction of second. As per the Government records Kalimpong incurred loss worth Rs 2565.75 lakhs under Kalimpong Municipality, Rs 2711.03 lakhs under Kalimpong Block I, Rs 3126.25 lakhs under Kalimpong Block II and Rs 1199.06 lakhs under Gorubathan, during the earthquake. Likewise, this year’s monsoon has taken losses worth 10 crores under its credit in the Kalimpong Sub division. More than 300 houses have been damaged while loss of houses and other public property amounting up to 4 crores 59 lakhs 93 thousand has been recorded under Kalimpong Municipality. Similarly, under Kalimpong Block I the damages account up to 1 crore 46 lakhs 90 thousand, under Block II 2 crores 73 lakhs 95 thousand and under Gorubathan Block 1 crore 93 thousand.