Cut-off Kalimpong villagers forced to swim to safety

Courtesy: BP Bajgain 

PRASHANT ACHARYA, EOI, SILIGURI, OCTOBER 9, 2023 : The Teesta flood has cut- off five villages in the Kalimpong district, forcing villagers and government officals at the risk of lifet to carry relief materials, crossing the river water. 

The Bailey bridge is under water. Villagers are forced to swim across to reach safer places from the villages. Hundreds of villagers residing in Bangey Bazar, Nazeok, Upper and lower Suruk and Samthar villages are facing hardship as they need essential material for survival. 

“The food items are available but essential items including mattresses, pillows, blankets, bed sheets, sanitary pads, baby food, cash to buy emergency items including medicines and others are required,” said Damber Rai, local resident, on Monday. 

Rai said three houses wedre under sand and five others were submerged under river water. Villagers were too scared to sleep at night.. He said there was no other option but to shift. The fear of a fresh rise in the level of the river and reports of the possibility of another lake burst were making them sleepless. 

On Monday a large group of people olf about 100 from Bagdogra reached the village, carrying relief items. More than 10 social organizations and clubs of Bagdogra distributed cash amount, rations, clothing, blankets, dry foods and sanitary pads among the villager of Bangey Bazar