RANGPO, September 11: Sikkim remained cut off from the rest of the world following the incessant rain, which is showing no signs of letting up.
The road connectivity to this Himalayan State remained disrupted today, with the National Highway 31A is still reeling under severe landslides at several places.
The Highway, pockmarked with several landslides all along, remains vulnerable with fresh landslides that occurred at a number of places on Friday and Saturday.
Adding to the problems, a portion of the road near Tarkhola between Rangpo and Melli caved in and a large portion of the road connecting the bridge over Mamkhola was completely washed away. About 30 meters of the road connecting the bridge has caved in.
With the landslide near Coronation Bridge still active, the new problem areas have added to the normal traffic flow between Gangtok and Siliguri. Passengers heading towards Siliguri are now forced to take a detour via Mansang, Kalimpong, Chitrey, Teesta and Darjeeling, which has lengthened the route to about 240 kms.
While the BRO has been actively engaged in clearing the slides and arranging temporary solutions to ensure movement for at least small vehicles, the inclement weather and inadequate manpower is severely hampering restoration work along the Highway.
According to informed sources, the National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) has taken up the responsibility of repairing the portion of the damaged road and bridge near Tarkhola. Work is expected to begin from tomorrow.
The road connectivity to this Himalayan State remained disrupted today, with the National Highway 31A is still reeling under severe landslides at several places.
The Highway, pockmarked with several landslides all along, remains vulnerable with fresh landslides that occurred at a number of places on Friday and Saturday.
Adding to the problems, a portion of the road near Tarkhola between Rangpo and Melli caved in and a large portion of the road connecting the bridge over Mamkhola was completely washed away. About 30 meters of the road connecting the bridge has caved in.
With the landslide near Coronation Bridge still active, the new problem areas have added to the normal traffic flow between Gangtok and Siliguri. Passengers heading towards Siliguri are now forced to take a detour via Mansang, Kalimpong, Chitrey, Teesta and Darjeeling, which has lengthened the route to about 240 kms.
While the BRO has been actively engaged in clearing the slides and arranging temporary solutions to ensure movement for at least small vehicles, the inclement weather and inadequate manpower is severely hampering restoration work along the Highway.
According to informed sources, the National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) has taken up the responsibility of repairing the portion of the damaged road and bridge near Tarkhola. Work is expected to begin from tomorrow.
