Northeast Desk, 27th September: Heavy rainfall over the past three days has caused severe landslides in Sikkim, resulting in significant damage to the old Rang-Rang bridge, which serves as a critical access point to the northern region of the state. Officials reported on Friday that the bridge’s collapse has left the Mangan district headquarters isolated from the rest of Sikkim, creating challenges for local residents and authorities alike.
The situation has been compounded by the fact that an alternative route through Dzongu is also blocked, following last year’s damage to the Sankhalang bridge. In light of these developments, the district administration is actively assessing the extent of the damage and working to restore connectivity as quickly as possible.
In anticipation of further adverse weather, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Sikkim over the next two days, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall that could exacerbate the current situation.
Despite the ongoing challenges, there has been some progress in restoring travel on National Highway 10. The Executive Engineer of National Highway Division No. IX confirmed that temporary restoration work at Sheti Jhora (NH Chainage 6.700 Km) and near Selfie Dara (NH Chainage 8.000 Km) has been completed. As of 3:30 PM today, vehicular movement has resumed for vehicles weighing up to 8 tons.
However, Highway Administrator Ramen Mondal has issued a formal notification under the National Highway (Land & Highway) Act 2022, indicating that traffic will be restricted to a single lane at the 26.100 Km mark. To manage this limited access, traffic police have been deployed at key points along the route to ensure smooth movement and prevent congestion.
Local officials continue to monitor weather conditions closely and are prioritizing safety as they work to restore normalcy in the affected areas.