Flooding Destroys Key Sikkim Bridge

Gangtok: A bailey bridge in north Sikkim collapsed Saturday night after relentless downpours turned the Phee Khola into a torrent. The structure, located on the Phidang-Sankalang stretch in Dzongu, vanished during the night. Road access is gone.

Officials are on the ground. The Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Mangan and local panchayat leaders arrived at the site Sunday to inspect the wreckage. They are currently evaluating the total destruction to determine when repairs can begin.

The storm system battered more than just the north. Heavy rain caused significant damage in the Upper Kaw Khola area of Lingee in south Sikkim as well. The state is reeling from the wet weather.

Data from the India Meteorological Department shows pockets of the state saw heavy to very heavy rain over the last day. Most areas recorded light to moderate showers. As the agency noted, one or two places in Sikkim received "heavy to very heavy rainfall" leading up to Sunday morning.