People in both the hills and the plains were left distressed this morning after news spread of landslides and boulders blocking NH-10, the key highway linking Siliguri with Kalimpong and Sikkim.
Representative image (Photo: SNS)
People in both the hills and the plains were left distressed this morning after news spread of landslides and boulders blocking NH-10, the key highway linking Siliguri with Kalimpong and Sikkim. Heavy overnight rains triggered the landslides, with huge boulders tumbling onto the road near Kalijhora, forcing authorities to close the stretch.
The disruption is not new. With the onset of monsoon, NH-10 has repeatedly faced closures due to landslides, bank erosion along the Teesta, and portions of the road caving in. Vulnerable spots, particularly those near waterfalls and steep slopes, often get washed away, making the route increasingly fragile.
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The sudden closure left hundreds of commuters and tourists stranded. Those travelling from Siliguri to the hills, as well as visitors and locals attempting to descend from Sikkim and Kalimpong, were compelled to take longer alternative routes. For some, the delay proved critical—patients being rushed to Siliguri for urgent medical care faced prolonged journeys, sparking frustration and worry among families.
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Though central agencies and engineers of the NHIDCL have been working tirelessly to maintain and restore the highway, officials admit that keeping NH-10 open round the clock against the fury of nature remains a daunting task. On Saturday morning, traffic movement had to be suspended entirely after the situation worsened.
Police sources confirmed that debris was finally cleared after prolonged efforts this afternoon, and the stretch has since reopened. However, a massive backlog of vehicles had already formed, forcing travellers to endure long waits before resuming their journeys.
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