Landslides affecting critical roads along Indo-China border, HM monitoring situation personally

A senior official in the Home Ministry has said that Home Minister Amit Shah has directed the NDRF to be alert and take all necessary steps as he is personally monitoring the situation in Sikkim following reports that incessant rain and landslide has cut off a crucial highway connecting the Indo-China border in North Sikkim with the rest of the country.

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has personally been monitoring situation in Sikkim following reports that incessant rain and landslide has cut off a crucial highway connecting the Indo-China border in North Sikkim with the rest of the country.

"Home Minister Amit Shah is personally monitoring Sikkim situation. He has also instructed the NDRF to take all necessary actions," said a senior official in the Home Ministry to ETV Bharat.

The highway connecting the Indo-China border and with rest of the country has been cut off due to landslides and collapse of bridges in many places.

Earlier, in June 2019 incessant rains and landslides had completely damaged a steel bridge of 180 feet and severed the lines of communications in North Sikkim.

Aware of the sensitivity of the region, in January this year, the Border Road Organisation (BRO) opened a 360 feet long bailey suspension bridge giving impetus to tourism in the bordering state which also facilitate the movements of logistics for the armed forces deployed in forwarding areas.

It may be mentioned here that movements of army and ITBP personnel often get disrupted following blockade due to floods and landslides.

Sikkim has 18 such important roads and highways with an approximate length of 601.18 kms which includes three important 62 km Indo-China border roads.

Of the total 3488 km India-China border, Sikkim shares 220 kms of the international border.

DoNER Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said that the central government is in constant touch with authorities in Sikkim for the last three days.

"I am also speaking to Chief Minister Tamang more than once every day. NDRF team is also deputed much in advance," Dr Jitendra Singh told to the representatives of Sikkim Government.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall over the past one week have hit various parts of Sikkim with areas like Dzongu, Pasingdang and Mangan areas in North Sikkim.

"Last night's torrential downpour and massive flash floods in North district have caused extensive damage of public and private properties," said Sikkim BJP president DB Chauhan in a letter to Dr Jitendra Singh.

Heavy rain for last one week has also hit in many parts of West Sikkim, mainly Yuksom sub-division with hundreds of families have been rendered homeless.