Teesta Flood Cuts Off Sikkim, Impacts Markets in State and Siliguri

Since Wednesday, direct access to the Himalayan state of Sikkim has been cut off by the massive Teesta's flash flood, and washed-away sections of NH10, the state's lifeline, have had an impact on local markets there as well as Siliguri wholesale centers.

The majority of necessities, including food and fuel, are shipped from Siliguri to Sikkim. The government has taken action to prevent shortage and unauthorized hoarding of necessities because traffic is now taking detours and some of Sikkim's Mangan's road links have not yet been repaired.

To stop illicit hoarding and excessive pricing, the government of Sikkim has implemented regulations. Teams have been organized to tour markets and determine whether goods are being sold at the expected prices.

Petrol stations in Sikkim are not allowed to sell more than 20 liters of diesel or 15 liters of gasoline to a single person, according to a notification issued by the state department of food and civil supplies on Wednesday.

Fuel stations have been instructed to keep about 1,500 liters of both gasoline and diesel on hand for emergencies, according to a source.

The prevention of hoarding or irrational purchasing of gas cylinders has been requested of all LPG sellers.

Teams made up of citizens and rural organization members visited various marketplaces in Sikkim on Thursday.

In order to confirm that there was no overpricing, they spoke with customers and store owners. In order to make sure that there was never a scarcity of crucial commodities, senior government officials also spoke with a number of trade organizations. As the NH10 is currently closed, plans have been developed to deliver such things into the state via alternative routes.

The main wholesale market for fruits, vegetables, and seafood in north Bengal, Siliguri, experienced a decline in business on Thursday as a result of its inability to ship goods to Sikkim and Kalimpong for a second straight day.

According to sources, Sikkim receives about 150 tonnes of fruits and vegetables each day from the market.

"We were unable to send any goods to Kalimpong and Sikkim. Our members are looking into other options. They have suffered losses since Wednesday. Shiv Kumar, secretary of the Siliguri Fruits and Vegetable Commission Agents' Association, stated, "We don't know when things will return to normal.

According to Tamal Das, secretary of the controlled market, 25 trucks a day typically transport between Rs 30 and 40 lakh worth of fruits and vegetables to Sikkim. Since Wednesday am, not a single car has been traveling toward Sikkim, he claimed.

Campuses close

Due to the natural calamity, the Sikkim government on Thursday declared that all educational institutions, including public and private schools, colleges, and universities, would be closed till October 15.