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Daerjeeling,: A tree at Bhasuwa, Krishnagram in
Teesta Bazaar was pulled down by Teesta River today, causing panic among the
local residents. The tree, which fell sideways around 11 am, is precariously
held up by a damaged house it landed on. Residents fear this incident signals
the area is slowly being pulled into the river.
The tree’s collapse has been accompanied
by the development of cracks in the adjacent road. The road, a crucial link
between Sikkim, Kalimpong and Darjeeling via Lopchu-Peshok, is at risk of
further damage which could disrupt vehicular traffic.
In response to the incident, police
temporarily closed the road. Even after reopening, only a limited number of
vehicles were allowed to pass. The road has not been officially declared safe
as work continues on constructing a protective wall between the river and
Teesta Bazaar. The wall aims to prevent river water from overflowing onto the
road during periods of high water levels in the Teesta River.
For now, people use the road at their
own risk. Some vehicles from Kalimpong and Sikkim have started using
alternative routes via Mungpoo and Melli-Jorethang-Singla-Tukvar to reach
Darjeeling.
A local resident said, “The flash flood
in the River Teesta on October 4th last year washed away many houses and this
area of Krishnagram was also badly affected. Since then, we feel that the area
has been sinking every day.”
Most families living in the affected
houses were relocated to relief camps last year with four more families above
the road stretch being moved today.
