Nine Bailey bridges would be installed in Sikkim to restore road connectivity to the Himalayan state that suffered heavy damage in the recent flash flood, said its state government sources on Tuesday.

On October 4, the flash flood in Teesta washed away 14 bridges in the state. Among these, nine bridges were in Mangan, the district located in the northern part of Sikkim and worst affected by the disaster. Three other bridges were swept away in Pakyong and two in Namchi.

According to plan, eight Bailey bridges will come up over the Teesta and one over the Kanaka river flowing in Mangan.

“After the meeting of the national crisis management committee that was chaired by the cabinet secretary yesterday (Monday), a six-member coordination committee has been formed to finalise locations for the suspension Bailey bridges. The team has been tasked to start inspection of suitable locations for installation of such bridges and submit a report by October 12 (Thursday),” said a source.

After the bridges were washed away, people across different locations of Sikkim have found it tough to commute. The army has taken the initiative to build log bridges in locations like Chungthang.

“However, it is necessary to have Bailey bridges to carry essential items including fuel. Also, equipment for restoration work has to be taken to the affected areas via road, which is why the decision to build the bridges was taken,” the source added.

“During preliminary talks, it has been planned to lay the Bailey bridges in Singtam Bazar, Tanak, Phidang, Sangkalang, Pegyong-Chungthang and Toong,” the source informed.

On Tuesday, Sikkim governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya visited some locations in Mangan district and spoke to residents.

An inter-ministerial central team (IMCT) took a chopper on Tuesday to survey affected areas in north Sikkim.

The state power department, sources said, is continuing with restoration work to resume power supply in various areas of Sikkim. Diesel generators are running in certain locations.

On Tuesday, the BSNL managed to restore phone connectivity to Chungthang, a town in Mangan which saw heavy damage, but Internet is yet to be restored.