Sikkim and Kalingpong still cut off by roads

Siliguri, Aug 27 (UNI) Landlock Sikkim and Kalingpong sub-division in West Bengal are still cut off for seccond day as debris at Rimbi continued to slide from uphill blocking NH 31-A, that links himalayan state with the rest of the country.

Incessant rains and rolling boulders at the site of landsldies were hampering restoration work, Border Roads Organsition, which maintains the national highway, said.

The landslides started Saturday were still active endangering the safety of the workers at Rimbi, some 30 kms north of Siliguri town, added BRO oifficials. The landslide breached metal road to about 500-meter length.

Darjeeling district superintendent of police Rajesh Suborno told UNI the highway would be closed until it was fully repaired and prepared for traffic. Only some light vehicles on emergency need were allowed to move through Lava and Gorubathan roads, he said. But heavy vehicles can not go through that roads because of narrowness and steep hilly terrains, he added.

UNI