Sikkim cut off by landslides

Gangtok, Aug 27 (PTI) Sikkim was cut off from the rest of the country as landslides triggered by torrential rains blocked NH 31A at nearly five places.Torrential rains have lashed the mountain state for the past one week and Teesta river, in full spate, has washed away three women at Singtam, officials said.Major landslides occurred at Lukhubir on the West Bengal side, at 20 miles and at three places at Singtam, sources in the Border Road Organisation, which is engaged in clearing the debris, said."We are trying our best to restore one-way traffic by tomorrow evening," a senior official told PTI. The landslides have left a large number of people, including tourists and vehicles stranded on the highway. Some people were found trying to negotiate through the landslide in the torrential rain, the BRO sources said.The rains have affected telecommunication and power supply in Gangtok.

Source: PTI