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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.