Landlsdies disrupt life in Darjeeling and Sikkim

Darjeeling, July 17 (UNI) Sikkim and Darjeeling hills remained cut off from the rest of the country following serial landslides that killed a person and damaged at least six houses, official sources here today said.

Superintendent of police, Darjeeling, Rajesh Subarna said a major mudslide flattened two houses in Sonada killing Kishan Rai (35). His home at Beachghota in Sonada was buried by a huge boulder. His body was recovered this noon, he added.

Another landslide at Dowhill, about 9 kilometre above Kurseong town, completely damaged two houses last night. However, there was no loss of life, Mr Subarna said.

About 30 metres road of National Highway, 55, between Tin-dharia and Gayabari was caved in following incessant rains disrupting vital link between hills of Darjeeling and Siliguri.

A report from Gagntok said around 50 landslides across four districts of Sikkim have affected life in the landlocked mountain state.

Road link between Gagntok and Siliguri, nearest railhead, was blocked following a series of landlsdies in neighbouring Kalingpong town in Darjeeling district.

Toy train services, a major tourist attaction, were supended as landlsides breached the two-foot guage line of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.

The train servcies between Siliguri and Kathihar of Northeast Frontier Railway was suspnded since morning after a crack appeared on a pillar at Balason rail bridge, NFR official confirmed.

Three pasengers trains have been suspended for precasution measrue on this metre guage line.

Meanwhile, waters of all rivers, originated in the hills of Sikkim and neighbouring Bhutan, were flowing above the danger marks following heavy rains for past few days.

UNI