Massive landslide affects Sikkim village

NITESH R PRADHAN, SNS, GANGTOK. 27 MARCH 2023 : A massive landslide hit Sokpey village in Dikchu Zang block in Gangtok district in Sikkim yesterday, cutting off the National Highway that connects North Sikkim with the rest of the country. 

State authorities said that no casualties had been reported so far and that at least 18 families had been evacuated from the site. Local people have alleged that a tower construction for power supply and an NHPC hydel power project at the base of the hills had resulted in the Iandslide.

The villagers claimed that the dam being built there had triggered the landslide and that they had been approaching the administration since 2015, but in vain. 

"The administrations survey team visited the area several times, but nothing happened," a villager said. 

"The village experiences damage every year during rains, but this time the situation is alarming and people there should be relocated to a safer location before a bigger incident occurs," a source said. 

"Over 20 families have been left in a difficult situation as a result of Sunday morning's incident, which resulted in the loss of livestock and total damage of four houses," the source added. According to district administration officials, work to shift people to safer places had begun. Gangtok District Collector Tushar Nikhare has declared the area a sinking zone and has asked local power companies to comply with government directions. 

"The Mines and Geology department will submit a report to the government, after which action will be taken," a senior district official said.