Hill alert... Huge landslide in Dzongu

TT & KalimNews, Aug. 13:  A huge landslide in North Sikkim’s Dzongu has blocked a tributary of the Teesta, prompting officials in Darjeeling and Sikkim to issue an alert in low-lying areas on both banks of the river.  

“A landslide occurred in Dzongu this afternoon. It has blocked the Kanaka river, a tributary of the Teesta. Because of the block, a temporary lake has been formed in the Kanaka. There is a possibility that this lake may overflow and release a huge volume of water, which will increase the water level of the Teesta,” said Darjeeling district magistrate Anurag Srivastava.

District officials of Sikkim said that the Kanaka river in Dzongu has been blocked by massive landslide at around 1:30 pm which has created a temporary lake on the other side of the river.It is opposite to Passingdang-Mantam road in upper Dzongu. Dust cloud has covered whole Passingdang village. 

The lake is about 150ft wide and due to this about five houses and a bridge in Mentam have been submerged. About 300 mtr of the road is damaged. All the people of Mentam have been evacuated and two relief camp had been setup. 

Relief Camp is set up by North District Administration at Tingvon GPU. The district administration is supplying essential commodities to the relief camps. There has been no human casualties or injuries reported. 

There is possibility that this lake may burst and may release huge volume of water which will in turn increase the volume of Teesta river. The people residing along the low lying area of Teesta at Dikchu, Makha, Singtam and Rangpo may please be alerted.