Multiple landslides block NH10, cuts off Sikkim from rest of India

GANGTOK,: Landslides, triggered by heavy rains, has blocked the National Highway 10, cutting off Sikkim from the rest of the country.
The vehicular traffic on NH10, the main road linking Gangtok with the rest of the country, remained suspended since Tuesday evening following landslides at various places in Sikkim and Bengal.
The incessant downpour saw landslides at the 29th Mile area in West Bengal, Singtam Topakhani in East Sikkim and at least a dozen other places along the 114-km Gangtok-Siliguri highway, forcing hundreds of vehicles to halt at different places.
The supporting pillars of a steel bridge at Rangpo, the gateway to Sikkim, were also washed away by a swollen river last night. The east district administration has imposed restrictions on movements of heavy vehicles over the weakened Rangpo bridge.
A team led by district collector (East) Ragul K. inspected the Rangpo bridge this morning to assess the damage caused by incessant rain. After inspection, the movement of heavy vehicles of more than 10 tons have been restricted as a matter of abundant caution. The concerned agency is working to restore the reinforcement, it was informed.
The district collector advised the people to avoid unnecessary travel and also asked all truck associations, owners and operators to take note of the restriction.
The alternative 1-km viaduct will be completed by end of the year, it was informed.
Hundreds of tourists are facing difficulties in travelling to their next destination or reaching railway stations or airport to return home, owing to the incessant rain and landslides.
Chief Minister P.S. Golay has asked the people to avoid travelling in those areas until the weather becomes normal.
“In the past couple of days, Sikkim has witnessed incessant rainfall, leading to landslides and damages in several parts of the state and has caused roadblocks at multiple spots. I am in constant touch with the line departments and closely monitoring the current situation. In order to avoid any untoward incident, I appeal to all our citizens to refrain from travelling in these circumstances and pray for their safety,” the Chief Minister wrote on Facebook.
Similarly, there are reports of widespread landslides cutting-off south and west districts with the rest of the State. Road infrastructures have been damaged, washed away at various spots in these two districts.
Road connectivity in several places of South district, linking Namchi town with several areas, was snapped owing to landslides. The Namchi-Jorethang road was blocked at Denchung, Namchi-Damthang at Samdruptse Fatak, Rabongla-Yangang at Gaguney and Jorethang-Melli at Thulo Golai. The alternative Namchi-Jorethang route via Assangthang is clear.
In West Sikkim, multiple slides at Bojek has blocked Sombaria-Jorethang road and Reshi-Jorethang road was blocked near Baiguney.
Most of roads in and around Pakyong subdivision were blocked since morning due to major and minor landslides. Some of the roads which are blocked in the sub-division are Assam Lingzey-Pakyong road, Pakyong-Chujachen road via Machong and Rolep and Pakyong-Mamring road at Pachey Khola.
Likewise, the national highway at Panihouse was blocked throughout the day, disrupting traffic movement in the capital.
A major slide took place at Panihouse around 2 am, accumulating debris on the road. The traffic coming from either side of Panihouse has been diverted.
The district disaster management authority along with GMC and concerned departments carried out restoration work and cleared the road for one-way traffic by evening.
The situation is precarious for the houses located right above the landslide slope – at Nam Nang.
The strategically important road networks such as Gangtok-Nathula route and North Sikkim Highway are however free from any kind of disruption.
A landslide also took place on the premises of Yangang senior secondary school putting the secondary block of school at risk.  
Likewise, a massive mudslide has filled the campus of Rangpo school with slush and boulders that came gushing from the hillside.
Sikkim and the neighbouring Darjeeling hills have been facing incessant rainfall since Monday, which has caused the problem of extensive road damages in the region.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the weather was expected to improve from Thursday.