Landslide disrupts Pelling-Yuksomroad

GANGTOK, : A major landslide in Gyalshing district on Wednesday brought vehicular movement along the Pelling-Yuksom route (State Highway-27) to a halt.

The landslide occurred between 6:30 am and 7 am at Rimbi under Rimbi-Singlitamgram panchayat unit.

A large quantity of debris, accompanied by a heavy flow of water from SiksaKhola, damaged a stretch of the road. No loss of life or damage to property has been reported so far.

A joint inspection of the affected site was carried out by Gyalshing district collector, the commandant of Sashastra Seema Bal’s 72nd Battalion, government officials and local panchayats. The team assessed the extent of the damage and the measures required to restore the road.

Restoration work has already begun with the district administration and concerned agencies working to clear the debris and reopen the route. Following a request from the district magistrate, the rescue relief team of the 72nd Battalion,whose headquarters is located around 4.5 km from the affected site, along with other battalion personnel, has also been deployed at the site to assist with the clearance and restoration efforts.

SSB said the vehicular connectivity along the Geyzing-Pelling-Yuksom route is expected to be restored within three to four days, depending on site conditions and the pace of work.

However, permanent reconstruction of the damaged road and bridge section, measuring around 30 metres, along with strengthening of the route to make it suitable for heavy-vehicle movement, is expected to take three to four months, the SSB said.