West district of Sikkim still delinked

GANGTOK, Sept. 21: The West district is still cut off from the rest of the state owing to a series of landslides over the past few days. Landslides triggered by heavy rainfall have blocked Geyzing-Jorethang road and Naya Bazar-Legship road, making things difficult for the residents of the area."We tried several times to remove heavy boulders but failed to do so as the villages are situated just below the landslide area," said Mr Nitesh Kumar Jha, DC, West. "The process would take time owing to the risk factor," he added.Mr Jha said essential commodities are being supplied to the landslide-hit villages."We have supplied fuel and LPG for the use of the residents of the area. There is a scarcity of essential commodities in the area but the situation is not beyond control," Mr Jha, said.It may be recalled that one Dilip Rai (37) was killed and two others ~ Mangal Singh Mangar and Pema Dorjee Bhutia ~ were injured in recent landslides in the West district. Road communication is yet to be restored in the area.