Panic in Kalimpong as level of Teesta rises, people shift to safer areas

YOWAN MOTHAY, EOI, KALIMPONG, JUNE 13, 2024 : There was panic in the flood affected areas of Teesta and Malli on Thursday, with the rise in the level of water of river Teesta following incessant rains in north Sikkim. 

People in the flood-hit areas of Teesta and Malli were forced to move to other places with their important papers and other materials. 

The road communication between Kalimpong and Darjeeling was disrupted as the road below Teesta Bazar connecting with Peshok Road was submerged by the rising water level of river Teesta.There was no traffic all day. 

Kalimpong District Magistrate Balasubramaniam T, said due to heavy rains in the upper part of Sikkim, the water level in river Teesta River had increased and some places like Ravi Jhora and Teesta Bazar roads have been submerged under water. 

Traffic had been stopped from Teesta Bazar and Peshok towards Darjeeling. The traffic from Malli to Chitre had also been stopped due to cracks on the road surface. Traffic diversions had been done accordingly. 

People were worried in the absence of any effort on the part of the government to help the affected people. They were more worried as people were yet to get a by relief for the damage they suffered in the massive Teesta flood in October last year. 

“Is there no administration or a government,” people were asking. “If such a situation occurs in the beginning of monsoon, what will happen in the coming days? Where do we go? It has been almost a year since the flood in Teesta and we haven’t received anything yet. Our houses had been swept away. We are staying at our son’s house. Even this house was flooded in today’s rain. We are remembered only when there is a vote. We have nothing to do with the government,” a flood victim of Teesta said, weeping. 

The District Magistrate said, however, there was no major loss to any property. People were being constantly alerted and kept informed about the rising level of water. “All our flood shelters are ready, no one has moved into the flood shelter yet. Rainfall and water levels are being continuously monitored.” 

He said that civil security personnel and special police teams had been mobilized at strategic locations for necessary monitoring and surveillance. Disaster management teams at districts and block levels were actively monitoring the situation and the control room was active 24 hours a day’ of voters.