Landslides following heavy rains in Sikkim has cut off the Himalayan state with the rest of the country on October 19.
The National Highway was blocked at several points and vehicles on the way to Bagdogra airport in West Bengal and NJP railway station had to wait for more than 3 hours on October 19 at Singtam, East Sikkim.
Sikkim Police has issued an advisory and alerted the travellers.
“Due to continuous rainfall, there is a huge landslide at 29th mile on NH-10 causing complete blockage of the road. It is unlikely to be cleared tonight. Goods vehicles from Sikkim are advised to avoid movement unless it is essential. Heavy vehicles are diverted through Rangpo-Monsong-Lava-Gorubatan. Other traffic is diverted through Peshok road towards Darjeeling,” the advisory said.
Meanwhile life in the Darjeeling hills in North Bengal have been also been thrown out of gear following torrential rains triggering landslides at many places.
The turbulent Teesta waters even overflowed the NH-10 forcing many people to leave their homes for safer places, officials said on October 19.
Landslides in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts cut off many villages and disrupted traffic completely since early hours of October 19.
Nearly 4231 cusecs of water was released from the Teesta barrage causing overflow of the NH 10, the main artery connecting Sikkim with the rest of the country, as the water from Teesta submerged the highway at Tribeni.
Many families living in the lower region of Teesta village have been evacuated as the weathermen forecast surge of water from rain rainfed Teesta during the night.
Inclement weather also forced the Bagdogra airport near Siliguri to cancel 18 flights so far.
