Landslides in Sikkim, Darjeeling; road connectivity affected

Incessant rain for the past few days has triggered multiple landslides in Sikkim and Darjeeling, snapping road connectivity at several places, officials said Friday.

The landslides have occurred at Dzongu, Mangan, Lachen and Mangshilla in North District and at two places near Sevoke, around 22 kms from Siliguri city, they said.

The two landslides -- at the 29th Mile and 10th Mile areas -- occurred at around 3 am Friday, the officials said.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has arranged for small cars to pass through the two areas but large vehicles have been barred.

Mangan, which houses the headquarters of North Sikkim district, has been cut off from Gangtok due to a landslide at Ambithang.

The road link between Mangan and Chungthang has also been snapped after a bridge was washed off at Rafong Khola.

The Ambithang Jhora is also flowing in full spate, damaging culverts and a newly constructed bailey bridge near Toong has been damaged.

The road network in Dzongu has been affected at multiple places with reports of landslides.

The entire upper Dzongu area has been cut off due to landslides near Mantam lake.

The rains and widespread landslides have affected about 50 houses in the district.

Many houses near Rafong Jhora have become unsuitable for human habitation and residents of those houses have been directed to shift to safer location.

District Collector Karma R Bonpo along with the sub-divisional magistrates of Mangan and Dzongu, senior police and transport officials made a survey of the affected areas in Mangan, Mangshilla, Dzongu on Friday to assess the situation.

Schools in North District have been directed to remain closed on Saturday.

The BRO is working on restoration of the road network in the district.

As per norms, relief and ex-gratia will be released to the affected people, the official said.

As it is raining heavily in north Sikkim, so civil defence, volunteers and the public have been alerted in downstream areas such as Singtam and Rangpo about the possibility of rising water level.