Landsldies displace many people, Road to Sikkim breaches

Siliguri, Jun 30 (UNI) Altogether 59 families were today evacuated as landslides triggered by rains wreacked havoc in the hills of Sikkim and Darjeeling disrupting highway traffic between Gangtok from the rest of the country.

A huge mudslides last night at Mamring village in Kurseong had threatened lives to some 200 families as the entire village had been cut off from the town.

Official sources said some 59 families were shifted today to a safer place as mudslides created panic among the residents.

Rehabilitation officer Asha Mukhia said the 59 displaced families have been given shelter to Maring primary school with ration and essentials.

Roads at the village were also damaged by the mudslides disrupting traffic completely.

Landslides at the 28th Mile near Rambi on NH 31A had severed link between Gangtok and Siliguri since morning.

Official sources said two big boulders rolled down from uphill near Rambi had obstructed vehicular traffic on the highway.

Road menders from Border Roads Organisation were deployed to restore the link.

Landslides also reported from Darjeeling town, Kurseong, parts of Kalimpong and lower region of Sikkim as rains continued to pounce in the region for past two days.

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