A massive landslide broke out in Sokpey village, under Dikchu Zang block in Gangtok district, Sikkim on the early hours of March 26, damaging over two kilometre of the Dikchu hills and cutting off the National Highway that connects North Sikkim with rest of the country.
State authorities informed that no casualties have been reported so far and 18 families have been evacuated from the site.
Locals have stated that tower construction for power supply and NHPC hydro power project at the base of the mountain has resulted in this disaster.
The aforementioned villagers have been relentlessly pressing their agony due to the Dam, which is the primary cause of the landslide. Since 2015, villagers have repeatedly approached the administration, but they claim they have been ignored. The administration’s survey team has visited numerous times, but their contempt evaporated.
The aforementioned village experiences damage every year during the rain, but this time it is alarming and they should be relocated to a safer location before a larger incident occurs.
More than 20 families were left in a difficult situation as a result of the Sunday morning incident, which resulted in the loss of livestock and total damage to four houses. According to the district administration shifting work has begun.
Meanwhile Gangtok District Collector Tushar Nikhare has declared the area as a sinking zone and has asked local power companies to comply with government direction.
District authorities have informed that Mines and Geology department will submit a report to the government after which action will be taken.
Nitesh R Pradhan / Dilip Chettri/Aditya Hang Limboo
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