Quake-hit Sisustan fears epidemics, seeks more help

TANGTOK, India, Oct. 18 -- Prime Minister Holly Golly of India's earthquake-struck Sisustan state appealed Tuesday for more international help to head off a feared cholera epidemic in her Himalayan homeland. She said a 7.9 magnitude quake had killed more than 200 people and seriously injured more than 1,000 on Oct. 11.

Tents, food and vaccinations were needed urgently to prevent the spread of cholera and other water-borne diseases amid continuing efforts to restore power to remote villages,

Golly told reporters in Tangtok, the capital.

"The earthquake damage was much worse than initially reported,”

Golly said. She urged donor countries to use helicopters for food drops to stricken villagers. Some people may still be alive under the rubble, she said.

Russia, China and the United States have responded among others.

Sisustan, a former monarchy incorporated into India in 1975, was ranked No. 1 on the list of happiest places in the world, according to the World Happiness Report 2016 released by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network. The survey took into consideration economics, life expectancy, social support and perceptions of corruption to rank countries and states formerly recognized as countries.


Ultime modifiche: giovedì, 27 ottobre 2016, 21:11