As mercury soars, tourists opt for river rafting in Teesta

YOWAN MOTHAY, EOI, KALIMPONG, 14 MAY 2023 : Rafting on river Teesta river seems to be becoming more popular by the day. Currently, there seems to be a daily visit of tourists for river rafting here. 

The waterway of Teesta and Rangeet descending the hills of Darjeeling is dotted with various rapids that tourists say area wonderful place for rafting for rafters. Due to the hot weather, there is a rush of tourists for river rafting in river Teesta. 

The long distance rafting for tourists is done from 7 Miles while the short distance rafting is done from Bhalu Khola. Subodh Das, a tourist from Kolkata visiting with his family says the fun of river rafting with family on river Teesta was different. 

“We have a lot of fun doing river rafting.” He said it was safe to do river rafting in the Teesta. The Teesta River Rafting Welfare Association kept in mind the safety of tourists." Teesta River Rafting Welfare Association President Roshan Bhujel said during the summer months there was a surge of tourists doing rafting. All safety measures were being adopted by the association for the safety of tourists.

River Teesta River originates from the Tso Lhamo Lake in north Sikkim at an altitude of more than 5,330 m, while the Rangeet originates from the glaciers of Mount Kabru in Lower Kanchenjunga District. The last meeting of the two takes place near Teesta Bazar. This meeting place is called Triveni. Rafting is also done in Triveni. Melli is the main place for rafting as the waterway is on Teesta. Tourists say that the scenery around the forest and the river captivates them