Six killed in Sikkim landslides

Gangtok/Siliguri, Sep 20 (IANS) Six persons were killed, three injured and a number of roads blocked following multiple landslides triggered by heavy rains in Sikkim’s South district on Wednesday, police said.

All the fatalities occured following house collapses in three areas falling under Namchi police station earlier in the day, Additional Director General of Police Sudhakar Rao said.

Three persons, including a teenager and a child, died after they were buried under the debris during a landslide at around 2 a.m. in the Upper Gurpisey area.

The second incident took place in Upper Bokrong ward at around 3 a.m., when a house caved in killing two persons.

Another teenager died at Khorlong when his house was heavily damaged in landslides.

One more person sustained injuries at Lower Kateng Bokrong due to house collapse. He was evacuated and is now under treatment in Namthang Hospital.

The landslides severely damaged many of the roads in South district. Restoration work was underway, Rao said.

Some roads in West district were also blocked following landslides.