The vital NH-10 highway connecting Siliguri to Sikkim was shut down again on Friday after a fresh landslide near Kirney, just hours after it had reopened following six days of closure.
SNS, SILIGURI, AUGUST 9, 2025: The lifeline National Highway 10 (NH-10), which connects Siliguri with Sikkim, was shut again on Friday late morning following a fresh landslide, just hours after it had reopened for traffic. The highway had been closed for six days earlier due to massive landslides and erosion caused by the swelling Teesta River at several vulnerable stretches.
Although authorities managed to restore the damaged sections and cleared the debris by cutting through parts of the hills, vehicular movement resumed only on Thursday evening. However, continuous rainfall since last evening triggered another landslide near Kirney, leading to a massive traffic jam.
The precarious condition of the road in that area further compounded the crisis for commuters. Officials had earlier suspended traffic movement for three days, later extending it for another three days to ensure the safety of travellers. Despite the partial restoration, the situation remains tense as rainfall continues in the region.
Heavy downpour in the hills — including areas originating from Bhutan — has resulted in several rivers flowing above the danger mark in the plains. Water from the catchment zones is continuously gushing downstream, increasing the risk of further landslides and road damage.
Travellers and transporters are now in distress once again as NH-10 remains closed, disrupting the critical link between Sikkim and the rest of the country.
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