Heavy rain over the past 24 hours in North Sikkim triggered landslides and damaged roads at many places in the district.
The major impact was borne by Bringbong Government Primary School in Hee Gyathang pram panchayat in Lower Dzongu.
A massive mudslide damaged a portion of the school and filled the campus with slush and boulders that came gushing from the hillside.
“In Bringbong, the multipurpose structure of the |Bringbong school has been completely washed away. Other structures like the |midday meal kitchen is |covered with slush. Water supply has been disrupted. Items of the school have |been shifted to a secure structure,” North Sikkim district collector Tenzing T. Kaleon said.
The rain also washed |away a portion of a bridge |connecting Chungthang and Lachen. The road connecting Chungthang with Lachung was also blocked for a |few hours because of a landslide.
A house was damaged at Munsithang. Reports of minor landslides have come from other parts of North Sikkim.
Kaleon said officials had spread out to different parts |of the district to assess the |extent of the damage and a clearer picture would emerge later.
“As of now, there are no reports of major damage, but yes, the Bringbong primary school has been impacted,” he told The Telegraph.
According to the Gangtok station of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), North Sikkim is expected to receive more heavy rainfall in the next 12 hours. “Rain or thundershowers are likely to occur throughout Sikkim in the next 24 hours and heavy rain in North district overnight. North Sikkim recorded 74.5 milimetres of rain in the past 24 hours,” said a senior IMD official.