GANGTOK, 23 July: The stretch of NH 31A between Rangpo and Singtam was hit by a series of landslides at around 10 p.m. which held up traffic for 11 hours. The more severe of the slides was at 10th Mile near Baghey Khola [see pic].
A substantial portion of the protection wall above the road and a huge tree were brought down by the slide, damaging high tension electricity transmission lines.
Since this stretch sees traffic till rather late in the night, a long queue of vehicles clogged the highway soon after the slide, with many passengers having no option but to sped the night in the vehicles.
As morning broke, employees needing to cross the slide to get to work on either side were also left stranded. Several pilgrims who left early for the “Bol-Bum” journey were also stuck in the jam.
Work on clearing the slide began at around 7 this morning, it is learnt, and the debris was cleared for vehicles to get through by 8:30 a.m. Work continues to stabilize the stretch.
A substantial portion of the protection wall above the road and a huge tree were brought down by the slide, damaging high tension electricity transmission lines.
Since this stretch sees traffic till rather late in the night, a long queue of vehicles clogged the highway soon after the slide, with many passengers having no option but to sped the night in the vehicles.
As morning broke, employees needing to cross the slide to get to work on either side were also left stranded. Several pilgrims who left early for the “Bol-Bum” journey were also stuck in the jam.
Work on clearing the slide began at around 7 this morning, it is learnt, and the debris was cleared for vehicles to get through by 8:30 a.m. Work continues to stabilize the stretch.
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