3/Kalimpong/Sindebung

1. Location :- Sindebung, on the eastern face of the Kalimpong ridge line; the landslide has its base near Relli river.

2. GPS coordinates : N 27° 04.130'  E 088° 29.631'

3. Elevation: 3041ft (926m)

4. Probable Cause : Erosion caused by numerous natural drains (jhoras) which plough thru the area.

5. Remarks : Despite the many studies undertaken at Sindebung and visits by GSI, media and VIPs, nothing has been done to mitigate or otherwise manage the landslides. As such year after year farmers in the area have lost land with no compensation whatsoever. As built up areas in the upper reaches of Kalimpong town expand, the volume of surface run-off from these areas flowing into the jhoras increases causing more scouring and erosion. This cycle seems to repeat with no end in sight even as the landslides move upwards threatening to destabilize parts of Kalimpong town itself. You can read more about the slides in the STH blog here

Praful Rao

2/Kalimpong/Bara Bhalukhop

1. Location: - Lower Newar Gaon, Bara Bhalukhop, Kalimpong. This landslide sits shoulder to shoulder with the the one featured earlier and together threaten the whole of Newar Gaon and some parts of Rai Gaon.

2. GPS Coordinates: - N 27º 05.398´/ E 088º 29.202´

3. Elevation :- 2825´ (861m)

4. Probable Cause: - Erosion caused by the natural drain (jhora); Even after 5 months of dry season this jhora (natural drain) still had water flowing in it and I was told that during the monsoons the jhora becomes a virtual torrent.

5. Remarks:- Approx 60 families are directly impacted by the landslide. Many have already lost considerable amounts of land and will continue to lose more in every subsequent monsoon.

  The jhora continues to cause considerable erosion all the way down to the Teesta river.

Praful Rao

1/Kalimpong/Bara Bhalukhop

1. Location: - Newar (Dara) Gaon, Bara Bhalukhop, Kalimpong

2. GPS Coordinates: - N 27º 05.5222´/ E 088º 29.419´

3. Elevation :- 3206´ (997m)

4. Probable Cause: - Erosion caused by the natural drain (jhora) seen in the photo; this jhora during periods of high intensity rain carries huge volumes of high velocity surface run-off water which has resulted severe erosion.

5. Remarks:- Approx 10-15 families are directly impacted by the landslide. Many have already lost considerable amounts of land and will continue to lose more in every subsequent monsoon.

  The erosion caused by this jhora in areas below the one shown has not been investigated.



Praful Rao