Sikkim: Heavy rains create havoc in state

Sikkim state is witnessing heavy monsoon rainfall which has created havoc across the state. As many as hundred houses have been damaged in Passingdang, Dzongu, North Sikkim due to intense rain and flash flood-like situation last night. No human casualties have been reported so far. People were evacuated on time but there could be a huge damage to infrastructure and properties.

Passingdang Secondary school has been heavily damaged. North Sikkim is already cut- off from capital Gangtok due to mud slips at various places along the Gangtok -Mangan highway. This highway is strategically important as the same way leads to Indo China border in North Sikkim. Defence supplies rely on this route and the alternative highway is open for light vehicles only.

River Teesta in Sikkim is in spate and has turned violent and flowing above danger mark, posing a threat to the entire village. Not only are there two mud slips, the NH 10 may be closed any time if heavy rain continues.

ALso read: Indo-China stand-off: Sikkim announces ex-gratia of Rs 1 lakh to martyrs’ families

North Sikkim especially Dzongu, is already going through difficult times as it has seen a series of landslides following heavy rains which has damaged land of farmers and blocked roads. The landslides have occurred from Upper Barfok, Munong village to the Lower Barfok area in Lower Dzongu, in North District of Sikkim. DSM Road which is maintained by the General Reserve Engineering Force was blocked again on Friday following fresh landslides at Ramukyung in Lower Barfok, under Lingodng Barfok gram panchayat unit. Several people were stranded on either side of the sliding zone. Plying of vehicles had to be stopped from Lingdong towards Heegyathang. There was no reports, however, of damage to

Similarly, in West Sikkim also many mud slips were reported in Soreng sub -division, Yuksom village and other parts. The problem is that if the rain continues the same, it may bring more devastation in the coming days as this is just the beginning of the monsoons.

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