Siliguri, July 15 -- The erratic monsoon has once again highlighted the growing vulnerability of the Himalayan region, with repeated landslides, flash floods and unstable weather disrupting normal life across the hills and adjoining plains of North Bengal.
National Highway-10, the lifeline connecting Sikkim with the rest of the country, remained at the centre of the crisis. The highway was reopened on Wednesday morning after intensive efforts by restoration agencies. However, fresh rainfall triggered another landslide at Bardang, near the 20th Mile in Sikkim, covering the road with mud and debris and forcing the authorities to close the route once again.
Restoration work continued at several vulnerable locations in Sikkim for the third co...