Rorathang: A police personnel’s vigilance and sense of duty helped prevent what could have been a major tragedy after a landslide struck the Rangpo–Rorathang road near Chamarey in Pakyong district on Tuesday morning.
As heavy rains continued to lash the region, large boulders and debris suddenly came crashing down from a hillside onto the roadway, completely blocking traffic along the busy stretch located about three kilometres from Rorathang. Yet, despite the sudden nature of the incident, no lives were lost and no injuries were reported.
The reason was the swift action of Naik Suk Bahadur Tamang, attached to the Rorathang Police Outpost.
What makes the incident remarkable is that Tamang was not on duty at the time. Having completed his night shift, he was returning home to 4th Mile, Bhasmey, when he noticed rocks beginning to fall from the hillside at around 9:30–9:35 am.
Realising the danger within moments, Tamang immediately stopped vehicles approaching the vulnerable stretch from both directions. He signalled motorists to turn back and guided them towards safer alternative routes before the hillside gave way.
“I had finished my night duty and was returning home at around 9:00 a.m. While on my way, at about 9:30–9:35 a.m., I noticed stones falling from the hillside. Vehicles were approaching the area at that time, so I immediately stopped them. I signalled to vehicles from both sides and directed them away from the danger zone, showing them an alternative route. Because the vehicles were stopped in time, no accident occurred,” Tamang said.
He recalled that he was riding his scooter when he first noticed the rocks tumbling down the slope.
“I was riding my scooter when I first saw the rocks falling. The landslide happened shortly afterwards,” he said.
A video showing Tamang warning motorists and preventing vehicles from entering the danger zone has since gone viral on social media, drawing praise from people across the state for his alertness and dedication. Tamang clarified that the video was recorded independently by Ayush, a driver employed with Lupin Company.
“The video that has been circulating on social media was recorded by Ayush, a driver working for Lupin Company. I did not ask him to record the video; he did so on his own,” he said.
The landslide is believed to have been triggered by continuous rainfall that loosened the slope above the road. While traffic movement has been disrupted, authorities have begun clearance operations and advised commuters to avoid the affected route until it is declared safe.
According to Tamang, restoration work could take time because loose rocks remain on the hillside.
“The road has been damaged, and it may take some time to clear because there are still loose rocks above that could continue to fall. Work on the road will have to be carried out carefully,” he said.
For many, the incident serves as a reminder that public service does not always end when a shift is over. On a rain-soaked morning in Pakyong, a policeman heading home after a long night of duty stayed alert, acted decisively, and ensured that dozens of commuters reached home safely.
Sometimes, heroism arrives quietly—on a scooter, after a night shift, and just in time.
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