The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) that functions under the Union defence ministry has readied two crucial bridges in Mangan district in north Sikkim.

According to sources in the BRO, the flash flood in the Teesta on October 4 last year due to the outburst of South Lhonak Lake caused extensive damage to north Sikkim. Around 20km of roads were damaged and 16 bridges washed away in the area.

The two bridges are a 140-metre-long steel bridge at Phidang that connects Dikchu to Sanklang and another 130-metre-long permanent bridge at Toong connecting Mangan to Chungthang.

“The BRO took up the task and worked overtime, sensing the criticality of the bridge at Toong. Despite inclement weather, the construction of a modular bridge has been completed. The work of the approach road is on. The road is likely to be opened for traffic by this month-end,” said a source.

Also, the BRO has readied a Bailey suspension bridge at Phidang. “This will help in seamless traffic movement between Dikchu and Dzongu,” the source added.

After the flash flood, BRO, along with the Indian army, restored connectivity to Dzongu and Chungthang by launching twin Bailey bridges over the Teesta river at Sanklang.

Also, to provide round-the-year connectivity across the Teesta, the BRO constructed a Bailey suspension bridge at Sanklang. Since February 10 this year, the bridge has become operational.

“Still, local residents, the army and tourists faced difficulties as they had to travel an additional 50km to reach Chungthang. Once these new bridges are opened, it will cut distance and travel time,” the source added.

From Chungthang, two roads head for Lachen and Lachung, the tourist hotspots in Mangan district.

Landslides

Monsoonal downpour continued in Sikkim even on Tuesday. The Dikchu-Singtam Road got blocked at Tintek Khola as a truck got stuck. The army, the BRO and other agencies are working to tow out the truck from the site.

Rainfall caused landslides at Sirisey Dara on the Yangang-Singtam road, forcing people to take detours.

The rainfall also caused damage in Thek, a village in Parakha block of Pakyong district. It triggered erosion in Maltini, a local river, and damaged houses.

Two relief camps have been opened in the area for affected villagers.

The downpour also led to landslides in different locations of Gangtok Municipal Corporation, which damaged houses, government quarters and roads and snapped water pipelines.

A government official said teams had been mobilised to handle the situation for the ease of residents.