Teesta swells, north Bengal faces flood fury

Torrential rains have swollen the Teesta River, inundating multiple areas in northern West Bengal and prompting authorities to halt traffic on the Kalimpong-Darjeeling Road.

 

The deluge, exacerbated by incessant rain on Wednesday night, has led to severe disruption in regions such as Teesta Bazar and Geil Khola, with roads submerged and houses at the riverbank in peril.

 

Officials reported that one person lost their life, and five others are missing due to massive landslides in North Sikkim, a direct consequence of the relentless downpour.

 

Emergency teams, including local police, civil defence units, and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel, are on high alert to manage the crisis.

 

Authorities have been broadcasting warnings since Wednesday night, urging residents in vulnerable areas to evacuate to safer locations. The continuous rain is not only causing more roads to flood but also threatening additional homes.

 

The situation remains critical, with the raging Teesta posing significant risks to life and property. Efforts are underway to ensure the safety of those in affected zones and to mitigate further damage.