GANGTOK, JUNE 11: A fresh landslide hit Gangtok late Tuesday night even as the search for more bodies from the landslide on Sunday continued. The Sunday land-slip has claimed 38 lives so far and has left about 7,000 people affected.

Although no casualties were reported after Tuesday night's landslide, certain roads including the approach roads to the residence of the chief minister, Pawan Kumar Chamling were blocked.

Barring the road link between Gangtok and Changu, all road connections including those leading to the residence of Chamling were restored, official sources said.

Rescue operators continued to extricate more bodies from the debris of the Sunday landslide. Of the 38 bodies extricated so far, 32 have been identified. The number of relief camps has also been raised from 20 to 22. Chamling today sought immediate Central aid of Rs five crore to cope with the damage caused by Sunday's landslide.

In a letter to Prime Minister I K Gujral, the chief minister said, the damage caused was not less than Rs 100 crore and that about 7,000 people were being provided shelter and relief. He urged that the aid was essential to take up both short and long term measures. Chamling told newspersons on Tuesday after reviewing the situation at a cabinet meeting that over 500 houses were totally damaged and 300 others were partially damaged. Two six- storeyed buildings have tilted under impact of the landslides, while cracks have appeared at the base of the television tower near Enchey monastery. He announced the formation of a five-member commission to go into issues like town planning and said it would submit its report in 15 days.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.