No place to call home: Residents abandon their flood-battered villages in Teesta Bazar
Times of India | 7 October 2025For nearly 24 months, close to a thousand people fought to hold on to their land and livelihood. But after four major instances of flooding and slope collapse, most villagers are now shifting to safer terrains.
The first major blow came in Oct 2023 when a flash flood caused by a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood in Sikkim triggered a sudden surge in the Teesta. The latest spell of heavy rain on Oct 4 and 5 triggered a renewed alarm.
More than 40 houses in Krishnagram developed cracks after the 2023 flood, with at least four washed away. The ground later began to sink, forcing residents into makeshift shelters in Teesta Bridge High School and then a community hall.
Now, about 31 people from Ghafoor Basti, including six kids, are still living in that hall. "About 80% of our village now lives in rented houses away from our village," said Ajay Karki Doli, 34, of Krishnagram.
Rent ranges between Rs 4,000 and Rs 5,000 per month, while most residents earn as labourers, raft guides or by collecting sand.
In Ghafoor Basti, eleven houses were washed away in 2023. Residents like 36-year-old Goma Sundas have since been living in partitioned rooms inside the relief camp. Villagers said compensation and rehabilitation packages remain pending. "We had a house and a shop. Now, we live in one room, cook in the same room and do not know to eat the next day," she said.
Kalimpong DM Bala Subramanian T said surveys for rehabilitation have been completed, but land allocation is still under process. "Finding govt land nearby is a challenge as people do not want to move far," he said. "Localised de-siltation is on, but a larger plan is needed. Otherwise, silt will return with the next heavy rainfall," the DM added.
