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Flash Back July 1998
Landslides Hit Sikkim
With the beginning of monsoon in the tiny Himalayan State of Sikkim, landslides hit once again here claiming at least 14 lives and rendering many homeless. As a result of heavy downpour, the 31 National Highway and many places in and around the capital particularly East district have been affected by the recent landslides. North Sikkim as well as the other parts of the State were cut off from the rest of the world for several days. The landslide spectre of last year is still haunting in the people which killed more than 50 persons.
The rivers which flow from the glaciers of the Himalayas and its tributaries have swollen tremendously as a result of which the roads and villages are at danger and at any moment the area can be washed away. Shangtam is already flooded by the overflooding of Ranikhola which completely washed away about six houses and affecting a large population.
The landslide phobia of last year is still in the mind of the people which took the lives of more than 50 people. This time the 31 National Highway and East district of Sikkim is badly affected. In Rinpool, a building belonging to the State Government collapsed and smashed to the ground as the Ranikola River overflowed and washed away soil from the foundation in and around 31 National Highway.
