MUKESH SHARMA
kalimpong, July 19:
The incessant rainfall in the hills has triggered landslides at numerous places following this monsoon. A major landslide along the NH31A at Tarkhola under Rangpo, West Bengal today halted the traffic for 10 long hours. Due to the landslide almost all vehicles heading to Siliguri traveled via Mungsong- Algarah which lies under Kalimpong Sub Division. The diversion of the way has severely affected the commuters.
Finally, one way traffic was restored at 1 pm after the relentless GREF efforts.
Even the slide clearing process lengthened due to frequent mud slides. This is one of the major landslide this monsoon along the Highway. The Highway was blocked for almost 15 hours after a landslide triggered in the same spot on Tuesday night.The ongoing road widening work at the National Highway is resulting in the frequent landslides; the cutting on the upper portions of the road for the widening and the incessant rain is making the soil loose resulting in the landslides said one of the local residing in the area.According to met department the area where landslide occurred recorded 65 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours.Again Met Department Gangtok has issued warning of heavy to heavy rainfall at many places of darjeeling hill during the next 24 hours.