Sikkim Red Alert: NH-10 Closed, Teesta and Lachen Chu Rivers Rising; Residents Warned of Flood Risks

Sikkim seems to be staring at another bout of floods and devastation as rains batter the state and the meteorological department has issued a red alert forecasting heavy rains in the next 24 hours.

National Highway 10, a key access route to Sikkim, is once again closed due to landslides at multiple locations, triggered by incessant rainfall over the past three days. This has led to severe traffic congestion, complicating travel in parts of the region.

The highway has also been submerged near Teesta Bazar in West Bengal due to rising water levels in the Teesta River.

In light of the heavy rainfall, the Singtam Nagar Panchayat has issued a warning for residents and visitors to avoid the Teesta River, citing concerns over rising water levels and possible flooding.

Authorities have urged everyone to stay informed about weather conditions and exercise caution.

Additionally, water levels in the Lachen Chu River have risen significantly, prompting alerts for residents in downstream areas, including Dikchu, Singtam, and Rangpo.

Those living near the riverbanks are advised to take precautionary measures and remain vigilant as the situation may escalate if rainfall continues.

Commuters travelling between Rangpo and Rorathang are strongly advised to avoid the Kumrek bridge, which is in a precarious condition and may collapse at any time.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang chaired a high-level meeting in Gangtok to tackle the state’s ongoing road connectivity issues.

The meeting aimed to find practical solutions for improving Sikkim’s road infrastructure and ensuring smoother and safer travel across the Himalayan state.

Key items on the agenda included the reopening of the North Sikkim Highway, persistent road connectivity challenges across the state, and the frequent disruptions on NH10, the main lifeline connecting Sikkim to the rest of the country.

The meeting, was attended by top officials from the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), along with senior officials from the Roads & Bridges Department and heads of district administrations.

Also Read: Sikkim: Multiple Landslides Hit NH-10, Highway Shut Again