Vehicular movement on the Gyalshing–Legship road in West Sikkim was halted after continuous overnight rain triggered multiple landslides, leaving Gyalshing — the district headquarters — cut off from the rest of the state, officials said on Wednesday. The India Meteorological Department reported 95.2 mm of rainfall in Gyalshing in the previous 24 hours. District Magistrate Tenzing Denzongpa said, “We received reports of the landslides around 9 pm on Tuesday,” and inspected the site before instructing departments to speed up restoration work.
According to reports, heavy rain caused a portion of the hillside to collapse, depositing large amounts of mud and debris across the roadway and making the route impassable to all vehicle types. Clearance operations have begun, but officials warned teams are working under difficult conditions as rain continues to hamper efforts.
Omchung, about two kilometres from Gyalshing, was identified as the worst‑affected location. Local representatives said at least three separate slides struck the highway corridor: a major one near Omchung, another below the primary affected section, and a third close to Legship. These simultaneous slides have complicated clearance and repair work.
The blockade has disrupted daily commutes and the movement of essential goods for residents who rely on the Gyalshing–Legship road. With no viable alternative route, concerns among locals and officials have intensified over access to services and supplies during the monsoon period.
Residents expressed mounting alarm over recurring landslides along the route each monsoon season, while authorities have ordered expedited restoration and said they will continue monitoring the situation until the road is safe for travel.
Original Source: https://nenews.in/politics/west-sikkim-cut-off-as-landslides-block-key-gyalshing-legship-route/55117/
Category: Politics,Gyalshing-Legship road,landslide,West Sikkim
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Publish Date: 2026-06-24 19:17:00
