The Teesta River has seen a dramatic increase in water levels—2.5 meters over normal—following unrelenting overnight rains, which has alarmed local officials and led to emergency travel restrictions in the area. Citing clogged roads and hazardous travel conditions, the district administration on Saturday postponed the issue of permits for North Sikkim as a precaution. Due to landslides and waterlogging, the primary access route to Chungthang, a vital transit hub for both locals and visitors, is still blocked in several places.
According to a district office official statement, “all permits previously granted for May 31, 2025, stand cancelled due to safety concerns and inaccessibility.” Specialized teams have been sent in to help impacted residents and look for missing people as part of ongoing rescue and recovery efforts. Authorities have asked residents and visitors to exercise caution and assist emergency personnel. According to weather projections, the area is still unstable, and authorities are keeping a careful eye on the flow of the river and the state of the roads. Authorities are expected to review the situation periodically before resuming travel access to North Sikkim.
