NH-10, the vital highway connecting Sikkim and Kalimpong to the plains, was shut down on Tuesday morning after the Teesta River overflowed onto the road following heavy overnight rainfall in North Sikkim. A similar situation affected the route to Darjeeling. The river’s water level began to recede around noon, allowing the highway to reopen, but a massive traffic jam ensued, with vehicles stuck for hours.
Locals reported flooding in areas like Rabi Jhora, 29th Mile, and near the Teesta Bridge at Teesta Bazar, cutting off access between Kalimpong, Sikkim, and Darjeeling. Authorities had issued alerts in Melli, Teesta Bazar, and Rangpo, urging riverside villagers to stay cautious.
Meanwhile, a landslide around 9:30 a.m. at Tarkhola, between Chitrey and Rangpo, blocked the road with debris. NHIDCL is working to clear it and expects the road to reopen by evening. In Darjeeling, landslides also hit roads in the Rimbick–Lodhama region, forcing closures due to falling rocks and debris.