TEESTA SURGES

With heavy rains reported along the valley and as the Teesta Stage V dam at Dikchu opened the sluice gates for another round of flushing the reservoir [of silt] on Sunday, the Teesta flowed thick and fast downstream, surging as it reached Singtam washing away a makeshift toilet and inundated the meat stalls along the left bank with water and slush. The increase in water level can be seen here as it now kisses the ground floors of most buildings along the river bank [on the right bank]. It was neither possible, nor safe for the meat stall to be kept in operation and the stall shifted to the embankment, operating out in the open. [from NANDU DUTRAJ]