Sikkim: Fresh Landslide Closes Bengal–Sikkim Lifeline NH-10

GANGTOK-  Barely a day after reopening following an eight-day closure, National Highway 10 (NH-10) — the vital road link between West Bengal’s Siliguri and Sikkim — was shut again on Saturday due to a fresh landslide. The new slide struck multiple points, including the 29-mile mark near Kirney and Likhubhir, stranding thousands of commuters, tourists, and local residents.

The highway had only resumed traffic on Thursday evening after being cleared of debris from earlier massive landslides and erosion caused by the swelling Teesta River during heavy rains. However, overnight downpours on Thursday triggered another collapse along the highway, forcing authorities to halt traffic by late Friday morning.

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A senior police officer in Kalimpong, confirmed that continuous rainfall had caused significant damage at the 29-mile mark. Traffic was diverted via Sevak, Gaubathan, and Alagara, but congestion on these alternate routes compounded the travel chaos.

The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rain and thunderstorms for the next six days across Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar, raising fears of prolonged isolation for Sikkim.

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Authorities from the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) have deployed earthmovers to clear debris, but unstable slopes and rockfall risks have slowed progress.

The disruption has also affected other regional routes, with landslides blocking the Mirik–Kurseong road and damaging slope protection at Tunnel No. 7 on the under-construction Sevak–Rangpo railway line.

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Tour operators and transporters, already reeling from repeated closures in July and September last year, expressed frustration over the recurring damage to NH-10 and called for long-term mitigation measures.

With Sikkim once again cut off from the rest of India, authorities urge travelers to remain cautious, track real-time updates, and prepare for extended delays as the monsoon continues to batter the region.