The Sikkim government is in the process of readying a memorandum for the permanent restoration of government infrastructure damaged in the October 4 Teesta flash flood and will submit it to the government of India at a time relief and restoration work is on in full swing across the Himalayan state.

Sources said that senior administrative officials in Sikkim are holding department-wise meetings to finalise restoration proposals in each department.

The flash flood caused extensive damage in the state, sweeping away buildings, bridges, houses and government establishments such as police stations and health centres.

On Wednesday, chief secretary V.B. Pathak held a meeting with officials of rural development and health and family welfare departments in Gangtok.

Officials of the rural development department presented a tentative report for the restoration and rebuilding of infrastructure, including bridges, roads, water supply, rural footbridges, footpaths and community assets.

The health department underscored the need for healthcare in Mangan district.

Road links from Mangan to Chungthang, Lachen and Lachung had snapped in the flood.

On Wednesday, in the state’s revised report of deaths and damage, it was cited that 42 people died and 77 are still missing. “In all, 88,400 persons were affected. Around 3,600 houses and 920 shops were damaged,” said a source.

The swollen Teesta washed away 33 bridges in four districts. Among these, 26 bridges were swept away in Mangan alone.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO), under the Union defence ministry, is working to restore road links.

“They are exploring alternative routes from Mangan to Chungthang, via Sangkalang and the Naga-Toong route. The damage on the Chungthang-Lachen route is huge,” the source added. The BRO is also installing Bailey suspension bridges. One such bridge will open at Sangkalang in two-three days to enable road connectivity up to Pegong near Chungthang.