Flash flood in Sikkim cripples adventure tourism in Bengal's Kalimpong district

Before Durga Puja, the October 4 flash flood in Sikkim severely damaged Bengal's Kalimpong district's adventure tourist industry and rendered at least 500 people unemployed along the banks of the Teesta.

River rafting and riverbank camping were popular tourist destinations for adventure seekers.

in the Teesta and Rangeet river confluence, in Triveni, the campsite has been totally washed away.

In addition to tents, the number of which is yet unknown, 29 improvised booths equipped with dining areas and restrooms were also carried away by the floods.

At least thirty rafts and a few SUVs that had been used to transport them by road were also carried away by the river. According to a source, a raft costs about Rs 2 lakh.

The Triveni Camping Welfare Association's president, Ashish Thapa, stated that the campground was well-liked, particularly by young people who enjoyed spending the night in tents along the banks of the Teesta and Rangeet.

"Camping was once organized by about 35 groups on the beds of both rivers at Triveni. People would camp out at the location from September to April in large numbers. But the site is underwater now that the calamity has happened. There is damage on the Teesta Bazar to the site road. We're not sure if the website can be fixed. Here, adventure tourism was linked to at least 500 individuals, according to Thapa.

There was also a high demand for the 7km rafting route from Melli to Teesta Bazar through the Teesta.

The raft ride would begin at 9.30 am and last until 3 pm every day. Two guides and six helpers would ride in each raft.

Thapa continued, "The ticket counter where people would book the raft ride is also underwater."

Our losses are not estimated. According to a member, all we could do was compile a list of lost and damaged goods and send it to the district and territorial administrations of Gorkhaland.

Anit Thapa, the GTA's chief, had visited places affected by flooding, according to a source, and he would take care of these issues promptly.