Dipudara landslides damage NHPC building, six houses

<p class="15"><span style="mso-spacerun:'yes';font-family:'Book Antiqua';mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:11.0000pt;"><b>GANGTOK,: </b>The Singtam-Dikchu road has been closed after a major landslide broke out at Dipudara, Balutar near the NHPC Teesta-V hydel plant complex on Tuesday morning.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:'yes';font-family:'Book Antiqua';mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:11.0000pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="15"><span style="mso-spacerun:'yes';font-family:'Book Antiqua';mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:11.0000pt;">Major cracks have formed along the Singtam-Dikchu road which has made it inaccessible following the landslides which took place at around 7:30 am.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:'yes';font-family:'Book Antiqua';mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:11.0000pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="15"><span style="mso-spacerun:'yes';font-family:'Book Antiqua';mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:11.0000pt;">A temporary road diversion has been made through Dochum along Singtam-Dikchu route, authorities informed. </span><span style="mso-spacerun:'yes';font-family:'Book Antiqua';mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:11.0000pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="15"><span style="mso-spacerun:'yes';font-family:'Book Antiqua';mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:11.0000pt;">Six houses at Dipudara were damaged with the affected families evacuated to the NHPC guest house, Balutar which is serving as a relief camp. The Khamdong BDO is in charge of the relief camp, informs an official press release.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:'yes';font-family:'Book Antiqua';mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:11.0000pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="15"><span style="mso-spacerun:'yes';font-family:'Book Antiqua';mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:11.0000pt;">The NHPC plant head has reported that the GIS building of the Teesta Stage (V) project has suffered severe damage. A technical team from Delhi will visit to assess the situation and recommend measures for restoring the NHPC site, the release mentions.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:'yes';font-family:'Book Antiqua';mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:11.0000pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="15"><span style="mso-spacerun:'yes';font-family:'Book Antiqua';mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:11.0000pt;">Gangtok DC Tushar Nikhare along with the Khamdong BDO, senior geologist from Mines &amp; Geology department, concerned officials and panchayats visited the landslide-affected area.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:'yes';font-family:'Book Antiqua';mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:11.0000pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="15"><span style="mso-spacerun:'yes';font-family:'Book Antiqua';mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:11.0000pt;">The Gangtok DC directed the BRO officials to immediately start restoration work on the road damaged by the slide. The BRO has assured that the road will be made operational at the earliest, the release informs.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:'yes';font-family:'Book Antiqua';mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:11.0000pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="15"><span style="mso-spacerun:'yes';font-family:'Book Antiqua';mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:11.0000pt;">Further instructions have been given to the Mines &amp; Geology department for carrying out a detailed investigation of landslides thereby suggesting short-term and long-term restoration work, it was informed.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:'yes';font-family:'Book Antiqua';mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:11.0000pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:'yes';font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:'Times New Roman'; font-size:11.0000pt;">&nbsp;</span></p>

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