Rain wreaks havoc in North Bengal

HT, 13 October 2016, DARJEELING: Incessant rainfall has thrown life out of gear in different parts of North Bengal and Sikkim. The worst affected is National Highway 10A, the lifeline of Sikkim. Both tourists and locals are facing immense hardship.

A 150 ft stretch of the National Highway 10A was damaged near Kalijhora, around 3 km from the Coronation bridge at 6pm on Wednesday due to heavy rains. However, PWD managed to restore traffic.

“Earth cutting and earthmoving machinery have been brought in also. Wherever there are land and rock slips the PWD is using these machines to remove blockades. There are multiple minor landslides all along the NH10. Complete restoration of the Kalijhora stretch will take time,” said Darjeeling district magistrate Anurag Shrivastava.

Another stretch at Bhuichaley near Rambhi on the NH10 is also sinking. “It will be repaired when the traffic flow is less. As and when landslides occur, PWD is clearing the area. As of now the NH10 is open,” said the district magistrate.

The temporary bridge on Rakti River on the way to Mirik at Garidhura had been partially washed away on Wednesday forcing traffic to Siliguri from Darjeeling to be diverted through Panighatta- Bagdogra. The bridge was repaired quickly by the PWD. A landslide occurred at Lhasa Villa below National Highway 55 on the outskirts of Darjeeling town.