Northeast Desk, 27th September: The water level of the Teesta River at Teesta Bazar has receded below the road level, facilitating uninterrupted travel towards Darjeeling via Peshok. National Highway 10 (NH 10) remains operational, yet authorities have cautioned the public against non-essential travel due to continuous rainfall and an increased risk of landslides.
In the past three days, heavy rains in Sikkim have triggered multiple landslides across various regions, resulting in significant damage to the old Rang-Rang bridge, a crucial access point to the northern part of the state. The collapse of this bridge has left the Mangan district headquarters cut off from the rest of Sikkim. An alternative route through Dzongu is also blocked due to previous damage to the Sankhalang bridge.
The district administration is actively assessing the situation and working diligently to restore connectivity. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Sikkim over the next two days, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall.
Officials urge travelers to exercise caution and limit highway use to emergencies, ensuring safety amidst the prevailing weather conditions.