NH10 Traffic Halted on Kalimpong Stretch Due to Landslides

The district government decided to halt traffic on a portion of NH10, the main route connecting Sikkim and Kalimpong with the rest of the nation, on Sunday because to the heavy rainfall that has been occurring in the sub-Himalayan Bengal during the last few days.

On Sunday, the district magistrate of Kalimpong issued an order prohibiting vehicle traffic on the section of road between Rabi Jhora and Likhu Veer. Vehicles traveling from Siliguri to Kalimpong and Sikkim, and vice versa, will need to take detours.

"An order of temporary restriction/diversion of vehicle movement along NH10, with a view to repairing the damaged areas along NH10 and to ensure the safety and security of general public needs to be imposed," the DM Balasubramanian T. issued, citing the damage caused by recent heavy rainfall to the stretch at Rabi Jhora and Likhu Veer along NH10.

Additionally, it said that starting on Sunday, all cars will be detoured from Rabi Jhora to 29th Mile until further instructions were given.

At Likhu Veer, which is halfway between Sevoke and Teesta Bazar, rocks began to slide on the roadway, causing traffic to stop on Thursday. On Friday, vehicle movement was permitted on a single flank as the weather improved.

But when rocks and other debris began to fall back into the roadway on Saturday night, traffic was halted, and the government issued an order on Sunday prohibiting cars.