21 killed in Sikkim landslides

Landslides and heavy rain have killed at least 21 people in the Indian state of Sikkim.

Border Police and the Border Roads Organization (BRO) personnel were among those killed in the landslides, news reports said. Likewise, at least 10 deaths were reported in the state of Assam.

The Northern part of Sikkim is cut off from the rest of the country. Nine landslides have blocked the main road between Chungthang and Mangan, Xinhua news agency said. National Highway 31-A is also blocked.

The BRO said it could take a month to restore connectivity. Meanwhile, the Army and IAF personnel have launched rescue operations. nepalnews.com