Fresh landslide hits Sikkim, NH-10 closed shut for 34 days

Inclement weather and rains continue to be a cause of concern as landslides continue to create blockades for NH-10 and other crucial roads in the state.

Nature’s fury continues to batter Sikkim, as the fresh landslides have been reported at National Highway 10, near Melli in Sikkim on Monday. The National Highway has been shut for 34 days now as it has been blocked by landslides.

The roads between Gangtok-Darjeeling and Gangtok-Jorethong too are shut because of landslides and floods.

Inclement weather and rains continue to be a cause of concern as landslides continue to create blockades for NH-10 and other crucial roads in the state.

Last week on Monday, landslides occurred between Melli and Rangpo (NH10).

On July 27, during the 9th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang had raised the issue of NH10, the sole lifeline connecting Sikkim to the rest of the country, and urged the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to prioritize its restoration and modernization.

The Chief Minister, in his social media, wrote for a permanent solution for National Highway 10, the only lifeline for Sikkim, damaged in the wake of GLOF and the monsoons. He shared, “Given the strategic importance of NH-10, I requested a permanent solution to its frequent disruptions and proposed entrusting its maintenance to a Central Agency like NHAI/NHIDCL. I also sought urgent intervention to restore NH-310A, which connects Gangtok to the Indo-China border, following recent cloudbursts in North Sikkim”.

He also highlighted the severe impact of the South Lhonak Lake outburst on October 4 last year which caused massive flooding and destruction of the Chungthang Dam, rendering the Teesta III Hydro Power Project defunct.

CM Golay presented the Post Disaster Need Assessment (PDNA) report, estimating Rs. 3,673.25 crore for recovery and reconstruction, and emphasised the need for continued support.

Meanwhile, Central Govt has allocated Rs 11,000 crore for flood relief in Assam and Sikkim.

Also read: https://northeastlivetv.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=116909&action=edit

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