Relentless rain continues to wreak havoc in the hills, causing landslides that have severely impacted National Highway 10, the crucial lifeline connecting Siliguri to Kalimpong and Sikkim. Saturday night saw continuous rainfall, leading to significant damage to the highway by morning. In several places, rocks tumbled down from the hills, and parts of the road towards the Teesta River have collapsed. With the downpour showing no signs of letting up, the situation is becoming increasingly dire.
The continuous rainfall has led to multiple landslides along National Highway 10, particularly near Gailkhola at Selfidhar. New landslides have also occurred at Kalijhora and Hanuman Jhora, making the road impassable. As a result, the administration has temporarily closed the highway to traffic. The highway, which runs along the banks of the Teesta River, is sinking in several places, posing a significant threat to travel and transportation in the region. Consequently, access to Kalimpong and various parts of the district has been severely restricted.
Vehicles heading to Kalimpong are now using alternative routes via the Coronation Bridge at Sevoke, passing through Odlabari, Damdim, Gorubathan, Lava, and Lolegaon. This detour is now also being used for travel to Sikkim, highlighting the extent of the disruption caused by the landslides.
Local authorities are working tirelessly to restore the affected roads, but the persistent rain is making their efforts challenging. In Sikkim, the heavy rainfall has caused the Teesta River to swell, raising concerns among residents about further potential flooding and landslides.
Kalimpong District Magistrate Balasubramaniam T has confirmed that several areas have suffered severe damage due to the landslides. Near Gailkhola, large boulders have fallen from the hills, causing significant damage to the road. For now, travel on this highway is halted, and motorists are being directed to use the alternate route through Gorubathan in the Dooars. He added that restoration efforts have already begun, but the full extent of the situation will only be clear later in the day.
The continuous rain and subsequent landslides serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of infrastructure in mountainous regions. With the main highway closed, the region's connectivity and daily life have been severely impacted. The situation demands urgent and coordinated efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents and to restore the essential lifelines of travel and transport.
6:30 PM | 0
comments
.jpeg)
