By Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, Oct 6: The Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Tuesday expressed his condolences for the loss of life and extensive property damage caused by the flash flood in Sikkim. His office released a statement on Wednesday stating, “In a letter to Prem Singh Tamang, Chief Minister of Sikkim, today, His Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed his sadness about the loss of life and widespread damage to property that has occurred in Sikkim as a result of the flash flood that took place in the Teesta River Valley last night.”
Dalai Lama conveyed his sympathies to the families affected by the disaster, saying, “I offer my condolences to families who have lost loved ones, as well as others affected by this disaster, and pray for their welfare.” He further announced his solidarity with the people of Sikkim by directing the Dalai Lama Trust to donate to relief and rescue efforts while applauding the state government and other concerned authorities for their relief efforts. “I commend the state government and other concerned authorities for all they are doing to provide relief to people affected by this calamity. As a mark of my solidarity with the people of Sikkim, I have asked the Dalai Lama Trust to make a donation towards relief and rescue efforts,” he said.
Following the flash flood, 98 individuals, including 17 army soldiers and civilians, were reported missing on Thursday. The incident was triggered by a glacial lake outburst from South Lhonak Lake in North West Sikkim due to incessant rainfall in the region. On Tuesday, approximately 3,000-4,000 people were evacuated in and around Rangpo, with five relief camps established in the district, according to officials.
The flash flood, caused by heavy rainfall and the glacial lake outburst, resulted in the destruction of more than 150 houses in the Industrial Belt (IBM) at Rangpo, situated along the banks of the Teesta River. Homes near the River Teesta in Gangtok’s Singtam have also been evacuated, and temporary relief facilities have been set up in Singtam Senior Secondary School, as per officials.
Due to circumstances in Sikkim, the schedule of the Dalai Lama’s teaching has been changed. The teaching originally planned for October 11-12 in Gangtok, Sikkim, will now take place on October 17-18. Similarly, the teaching in Salugara, West Bengal, initially set for October 15, has been postponed to October 21.
In Gangtok, His Holiness will provide two days of teachings at Paljor Stadium as requested by the Sikkim State Government. On the morning of October 17, His Holiness will teach Gyalsey Thokme Sangpo’s 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva (laklen sodunma). On the morning of October 18, His Holiness will confer the Empowerment of Guru Padmasambhava: A Collection of the Quintessential Guru Yoga Practice of Guru Padmasambhava (Thukdrup Yangnying Kundue).
In Salugara, West Bengal, His Holiness will deliver a general teaching followed by the Ceremony for Generation of Bodhicitta (semkye) at Sed-Gyued Monastery in the morning.
