Jagran Correspondent, Siliguri/Gangtok | Continuous heavy rains in the mountains have severely disrupted life in Sikkim. The rains have triggered fresh landslides in several parts of the state. Landslides have disrupted traffic along the 32 km stretch of National Highway 10 on Thursday.

National Highway 10 is a key 174-kilometre-long highway that serves as the primary lifeline connecting Siliguri to Gangtok. Incidents of landslide have also blocked the Singtam-Rangpo route, leaving debris and boulders on the road.

Roads Are Blocked Due To Landslide

The 32 km area has become extremely dangerous due to the continuous downpour of large boulders and mud from the mountain slopes since Thursday morning. The landslide has buried a large portion of the road under mud and debris, disrupting vehicular traffic.

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Both local travelers and tourists visiting Sikkim are facing difficulties. In light of the situation, the Sikkim administration has advised tourists and the public to avoid landslide-affected areas. A fresh landslide in Rimbi Village under the Yuksom-Tashiding Constituency of West Sikkim triggered a mudslide, with large amounts of mud, rocks and debris moving downhill. Traffic on the route was closed this morning due to unstable mountain slopes and continued debris fall.

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The road from Khechuperi to Gyalshing via Rimbi has also been blocked at many places due to falling of soil and stones.

Meanwhile, the 32 km Bardang Road has also been affected by rain and waterlogging. Traffic movement has been disrupted due to debris and mud accumulation on several major roads. The administration and related departments are working to clear the roads.

Teesta Water Level Rising

Due to continuous rainfall in Sikkim, the water level of the Teesta River has also swollen. Continuous rainfall in the hilly areas is expected to cause the river and its tributaries to rise. Consequently, alerts have been raised in low-lying areas.

Heavy rains have also begun in Bhutan. The Bhutan National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology has issued a flash flood and landslide warning. The rains are expected to cause the Torsa and Raidak rivers in northern Bhutan to rise, and this could also affect North Bengal.