Anurag Kumar
Since five days ago, her existence has remained unchanged. She ascends to the auditorium of the government senior secondary school in Singtam, located in the southeastern region of Sikkim, each morning. She asks the same queries on a daily basis, with the answers becoming increasingly obvious. She inquires whether or not the authorities are aware of her father. They inform her daily that they have not. Joshna Khan is among the 630 individuals who have made the school their place of residence since Wednesday, when rapid floods in Sikkim claimed the lives of 82 and left 105 missing in one of the most extensive relief camps dotted across the mountains. However, despite being a part of a collective catastrophe, Khan’s sorrow remains independent. She is the only resident whose family member has passed away.
In total, there are currently 28 relief camps in Sikkim, which accommodate approximately 6,487 individuals. Gangtok district has the greatest number of such centers, which amount to ten.
Wednesday morning at 2:00 a.m., Khan’s Lal Bazaar-area residence was engulfed in floodwaters; they had exhausted all available time to evacuate. “Everyone hurriedly exited their dwellings in an attempt to ascend to higher ground.” My father, however, was lost in the pandemonium. His remains were carried away by the floodwaters. A few years ago, my mother passed away, and he is now as well. “I have been abandoned,” Khan remarked.
Khan, bereaved and alone, contemplates an unforeseeable future. “I was unable to produce any items, including documents, clothing, or cash.” My residence in Lal Bazar has been demolished. After this, I have no idea where to go or what to do. “It is impossible for me to remain here indefinitely,” she declared. She is still dressed in the same garments that she used to flee her residence.
Situated 30 kilometres from Gangtok, the capital of the state, the three-storey school building, which once accommodated 1400 students in a state of commotion, is now occupied in every room by destitute individuals who have lost their secure dwellings. The school’s principal, SK Pradhan, stated that the auditorium on the third floor and all ten classrooms on the first and second floors have been made available to flood victims. A staff room has been designated for night officers who are members of the police force.
Furthermore, figures are proliferating. Wednesday, there were only 318 individuals at the shelter. As of Saturday, the total stood at 639. “My husband, two daughters, and I sought refuge in the home of a relative following the flood.” However, we made the decision to relocate to the flood sanctuary as we perceived the relative’s one-room dwelling to be an intolerable burden for us to endure. Our dwelling at Adarsh Gaon has been destroyed by the tides. Smriti Pradhan stated, “Every day my spouse inspects the house to determine whether or not it can be restored and reconstructed, but I am always terrified because I cannot predict how secure the area will remain.”
Previously utilized by students to study, tables are now used to demarcate the boundaries between families. Others slumber on a bedsheet on the floor, while others sleep on mattresses. In addition to providing sustenance twice daily, the government has packaged biscuits and a cup of tea in the morning.
Due to the closure of the school, fifty members of the teaching staff and the same number of pupils now serve as volunteers from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. “Even though the school is closed, we continue to serve the victims there every day.” We provide them with nourishment and hydration while performing any necessary tasks, including room cleansing. “I am delighted to assist them as they are in a critical situation,” said Rancho Gurung, the youngest volunteer and a seventh-grade student with future military aspirations.
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A legal team from the state government has been assigned one of the numerous workstations established by the school administration. Their responsibility is to assist victims in completing necessary paperwork, including filing police complaints and obtaining duplicates of marksheets, identity cards, certificates, and bank documents. In addition, a medical team has been dispatched. “Upon the arrival of a new victim, we must ascertain that he does not have an infectious disease.” “Upon arrival, one individual was diagnosed with tuberculosis and required immediate transport to a hospital,” stated one volunteer.
