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Darjeeling/Siliguri, Jul 3 : Sikkim and major parts of Darjeeling today remained cut off from the rest of the country following a series of landslides, which killed a 73-year-old man in Kalimpong, official sources said.

Additional Superintendent of Police, Kalimpong, Krishna Bahadur Dorjee told UNI that links between Gangtok, Siliguri major parts of Darjeeling hills and other northeastern states were cut off after two NHs 31 and 31-A were washed out following landslides triggered by overnight torrents.

Mr Dorjee quoting preliminary reports said at least ten areas of the two highways suffered heavy damages after mud caved in and boulders cascaded down the roads.

The service of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), also known as toy train, was disrupted between NJP and Kurseong after tracks on two points between Gayabari and Mahanadi were damaged.

DHR Director Subrata Nath, who had already reached the spot, said the two-foot track was virtually hanging after mud gushed out at least 17 mts near Gayabari.

Landslides occurred at Rohini, Sevok checkpost, Sevok Kalibari, Kalijhora, Andheri chowk and places near Kurseong breaching links of NH 33 among northern parts of Bengal, Assam and other Northeast states.

Roads to Gangtok and major parts of Darjeelng hills were also damaged following landslips at differeent places on NH 33 A and NH 55.

Mr Dorjee said Gul Bahadur Thapa (73), a resident of Barpat, about 70 km from Kurseong, was buried alive after rolling boulders flattened his house in the wee hours today.

Mr Dorjee said Thapa was a businessman. His body was sent for post-mortem.

Mr Dorjee said Border Roads Organisation and PWD workers were clearing the debris to open the roads, at least for small vehicles by this evening.

The latest series of natural calamity was the second major after Aila hit the hills, killing at least 28 people, while two were missing.

Meanwhile, a company of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) arrived here yesterday, which would work under National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to combat crisis.