At least two persons died, one suffered injuries and another went missing in a landslide at Yangang in south Sikkim on Monday.

The landslide damaged around eight houses. Further, a flash flood which occurred in the area damaged roads and washed away a bridge over a stream.

Sources said a torrential downpour had occurred in Namchi, the district in the southern parts of the mountain state, on early Monday morning. It triggered a landslide in Majuwa, a village in Yangang which is around 110km from capital Gangtok.

“The debris which descended due to the landslide extensively damaged the houses and caused the casualties and injury. The administration is facing problems in sending relief materials to the spot as the road that connects the village has also been damaged due to the downpour,” said a source.

The flash flood, which originated near the Sikkim University, also impacted
Rangang, another village near Majuwa. Also, the main road that connects Yangang was washed away at Sisney in Namphok.

Further, a bridge at Rangpo Khola, a local stream, has been completely damaged. It connects Yangang and Ravangla.

Later in the day, Anil Nepal, the vice-president of the Citizen Action Party (CAP) in Sikkim, visited the affected villages with party workers. The slide has also caused loss to livestock, including cows, pigs and poultry, he said.

The CAP later released a press statement and mentioned that the state should provide adequate compensation to the affected families.

Sources at the regional Met Office in Gangtok said there is a forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall during the next few days.

“An alert has been issued in Mangan district which is in northern parts of the state. Such rainfall can lead to localized flooding of roads, water logging, landslides and mudslides. These can lead to blockade in roads and disruption of aviation services,” said a weather expert.