Teesta water level rises, people advised not to travel on NH-31A

SNS, Gangtok, 10 July : The Sikkim police have advised people to avoid travelling on National Highway-31A during night, in view of the rise in the water level of the river Teesta between Rangpo and Melli. 

“The river Teesta has touched the danger mark between Rangpo and Melli because of incessant rains over the past few days. Landslides have been reported from many locations,” said the deputy inspector general of police, Dr Mandeep Singh Tuli. “Vehicles plying between that stretches are hereby advised to avoid travelling on that stretch during nights for the next few days” he informed. 

A official from the state meteorological department said: “Sikkim has been receiving rainfalls between 3 to 4 cm for the past few days and the Indian Metrological Department has warned the Met in Sikkim of expecting heavy to very heavy rainfall in the sub-Himalayan regions of West Bengal and Sikkim in the next 48 hours. The expected heavy to very heavy rainfalls may occur at one or two places.” 

Police posted at Melli and Rangpo have been alerted about the rise in the water-level of river Teesta. 

According to police sources at Rangpo, the people of the riverside town have been alerted about the rise in the water-level. The Rangpo residents have been advised to avoid visiting the river for a few days, considering the high risks.