End of monsoon brings heavy rains and landslides

13 FAMILIES IN SOUTH SIKKIM DISPLACED
GANGTOK, 16 Sept: With the monsoon rains in the state now into their last month the rains have begun to get heavier and ominous. The heavy downpour the last couple of days left a string of landslides including in Pakyong, East Sikkim and in various parts of South Sikkim where a number of roads have also been affected and cut off.
In Pakyong, East Sikkim, the heavy downpour completely damaged one house located below Pakyong Bazaar and left several other houses, located above the landslide area, endangered. The slide occurred in the wee hours of Saturday, at around 2 AM and completely engulfed the house of Nar Bahadur Khati with slush, rocks and debris completely damaging his house.
Fortunately, Mr. Khati had been alerted by some stray rock falls before the main body of the slide collapsed and had managed to evacuate the house along with his family members. However all his belongings were buried in the slide.
The Pakyong police was the first to reach the spot and help the family to evacuate and to take necessary action. The family was visited by the local panchayat and the SDM Pakyong the following morning.
The landslide, which occurred just below the bazaar area, has also left several houses located above where the landslide originated, endangered as the slope below these houses has given way.
South district too has seen a string of landslides in the past couple of days due to the heavy rains. Around 13 families in various parts of the district have had to leave their homes. In fact, as DC South, AK Singh informed, the district administration has also opened a relief camp at Ambotey where 3 families are lodged.
In Ambotey three families have been affected with one house completely damaged and 2 others on the verge of collapse. These families have been relocated to the relief camp. Another 4 to 5 families have been affected by slides at Melli dara; 2 families at Rongbul on the way to Melli and 3 to 4 houses damaged in Assangthang area. These affected families have preferred to stay with relatives informed the DC South.
It is also informed by the DC that the administration has deployed quick response teams to various parts of the district including revenue and assistant revenue supervisors to survey affected areas and file a detailed report on damages. The DC South AK Singh stated that the priority is on saving lives. All affected families have been provided with immediate relief as per the norms.
Apart from house damages almost all roads in the district have also been affected barring the Namchi – Gangtok and Namchi – Siliguri road.