Litter of slides shut down North Sikkim Highway

Negotiating the slide at Theng on North Sikkim Highway

Chiyan Dara near Singhik

Crossing Lanthey Khola on North Sikkim Highway

The Manul slip zone

WANGCHUK BHUTIA
GANGTOK, 23 Sept: The road from Mangan to Chungthang has been ambushed by 13 major slides at Singhik, Lanthey, Theng and Meyong while there are 36 slides on the road from Chungthang to Lachung. The road from Chungthang to Lachen has also been affected by multiple slides. The road from Chungthang to Lachung and Lachen will take 15 days to restore, inform BRO officials.
The road from Chungthang to Mangan is blocked at 6-7 spots which will take more than 20 days to open while the one from Mangan-Passingdong is also blocked and will take 3-4 days to open.
The Dikchu-Mangan route via Sangkalang is closed at several locations and will take considerable time to restore.
The highway towards Gangtok and Singtam is also blocked at Namok khola and 4th mile where the GREF will begin work by tomorrow.
“We were focusing on and engaged primarily in rescue and relief work at Chungthang but have now started working on restoring the roads from today”, said OC 86 RCC, Major Mukesh Kumar while speaking to NOW!
The BRO has also stated that it may take a month or more to restore road connectivity in North Sikkim.
Meanwhile, Zilla Adhyakshya Khamsoong Lepcha has advised those with relatives at Mangan and Chungthang to travel to these places only in case of emergencies as the condition of roads is very poor.