Traffic on NH10, the principal highway that connects Sikkim and the hill district of Kalimpong with Siliguri and the rest of the country, came to a halt on Thursday because of a landslide triggered by rainfall that north Bengal and Sikkim have been experiencing for the past two days.
Vehicles bound for various destinations in Sikkim and Kalimpong from Siliguri and vice versa had to take alternative routes following the landslide.
A senior police officer in Kalimpong said traffic had to be stopped as boulders had started falling intermittently, along with debris, from the mountainside at Likuveer, which is located between Sevoke and Teesta Bazar.
“As boulders are continuously slipping down at Likuveer, it would be dangerous to drive through the stretch. To ensure the safety of passengers, traffic has been diverted through alternative routes since this morning. We are monitoring the situation,” he said.
Following the halt, vehicles heading to Kalimpong and Sikkim are moving along Lava-Gorubathan road. “Light vehicles are also taking the same route and from 27th Mile, those can take the Samthar-Kalimpong route to reach Kalimpong and vice versa,” said a source.
Vehicles had to travel an additional 70km to reach Kalimpong and Sikkim because of the diversion.