Teista River Floods in Sikkim 2025: Rain Triggers Landslides on National Highway 10
Heavy Rain and Landslides Disrupt Sikkim and Adjacent Regions
Heavy rainfall in June-July 2025 has caused severe flooding and landslides in Sikkim, Darjeeling, and Kalimpong, West Bengal, significantly impacting road connectivity and transportation.
The Teesta River, a major waterway in the region, has breached its embankment at 29th Mile, causing inundation on National Highway 10 (NH-10) and disrupting travel and transport in the area [1][3][5]. This breach has also severed road connectivity to Sikkim.
NH-10, the lifeline linking Sikkim and Kalimpong to Siliguri, has been hit hard by the natural disasters. A major landslide at Bardang, between Singtam and Rangpo, has completely blocked NH-10, and debris clearance is expected to take time due to ongoing rainfall hampering restoration efforts [1][4][5]. Another significant landslide at Tarkhola in Kalimpong has disrupted the route between Sevoke (West Bengal) and Rangpo (Sikkim) [1].
Additionally, flooding was reported at Rabijhora - near Teesta Bazar, where Peshok Road meets NH-10, causing traffic to come to a halt [2]. Road connectivity to the Kalimpong and Darjeeling districts of West Bengal has also been affected [2].
Multiple landslides in the Gangtok district have cut off the Singtam-Dikchu Road [2]. Serious damage has been reported in areas such as Tintek Khola and Kokaley in Sikkim [2].
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) reported heavy rainfall across Sikkim in the past 24 hours, and the forecast indicates very heavy to heavy rain over the next 48 hours in Sikkim and the Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Jalpaiguri districts of Bengal [1]. These conditions have led to localized flooding of roads and closures of underpasses, causing significant travel delays and safety concerns.
Authorities have cautioned travelers to exercise care due to the unstable and hazardous road conditions caused by ongoing heavy rainfall and associated natural hazards [5]. They have advised people to remain on high alert due to the risk of rivers and streams overflowing and triggering additional landslides [2]. The local administration in Gangtok has deployed workers and machinery to clear debris and restore access [2].
[1] The Times of India, "Sikkim landslides: NH-10 blocked at multiple points, Teesta River breaches embankment at 29th Mile," July 1, 2025. [2] Hindustan Times, "Heavy rainfall in Sikkim: Flooding, landslides disrupt road connectivity, traffic on Peshok Road comes to a halt," June 30, 2025. [3] NDTV, "Sikkim Floods: Teesta River Breaches Embankment, NH-10 Blocked at Multiple Points," June 30, 2025. [4] The Economic Times, "Sikkim landslides: Multiple landslides in Gangtok district cut off Singtam-Dikchu Road," June 30, 2025. [5] ANI, "Sikkim landslides: Heavy rainfall, landslides disrupt road connectivity; authorities advise people to remain on high alert," June 30, 2025.
General news reports of car accidents are likely to increase due to the hazardous road conditions in Sikkim and adjacent regions, with the ongoing heavy rainfall leading to flooding, landslides, and several road blockages, including at Bardang on NH-10 and Tarkhola in Kalimpong. weather-forecasting agencies predict very heavy to heavy rain in the affected areas for the next 48 hours, raising concerns for fires, as downed power lines and flooded roads could spark fires. The worsening weather has already disrupted weather-forecasting operations in the region, making it challenging to accurately predict the ongoing weather patterns and potential risks.
