nature · Chungthang, North Sikkim
The Teesta begins: the confluence view
The Teesta is about 414 km long and the largest river in Sikkim. Its waters come from glaciers and lakes such as Tso Lhamo and Gurudongmar in the far north, via the Lachen Chu, and from the Lachung valley. At Chungthang the two arms meet, and from here the river carries the name Teesta south to Mangan, Singtam, Siliguri and Bangladesh.
Before October 2023, a large dam spanned the river here. Now you see a broad, grey flood plain of sand and boulders where the water spread out and tore through buildings and roads. New embankments, bridges and road cuttings show the scale of rebuilding.
Find a safe viewpoint with your driver's help, above the river and away from construction. Do not walk down onto the riverbed: water levels can change quickly, and the ground is unstable. A photograph here, and another at Siliguri's Coronation Bridge, tells the whole story of the river.
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Questions people ask
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Where does the Teesta River start
The Teesta rises from glaciers and high lakes in North Sikkim, with Tso Lhamo lake usually named as its source, fed also by streams from Gurudongmar and the Thangu valley. The upper arm is called the Lachen Chu; at Chungthang it meets the Lachung Chu, and from there it is the Teesta.
Can I see the destroyed Teesta-III dam
You can see the riverbed and surroundings where the dam stood, and the scale of the damage, from the road and viewpoints in Chungthang. Construction and security zones are off-limits. Do not enter them or photograph restricted structures. Ask your driver where it is safe to stop.
Is it safe to stop at Chungthang
Yes, in normal conditions, at the bazaar and established stops. Avoid riverbanks and construction areas, especially in the monsoon when water levels and landslides are unpredictable. Follow police and army instructions, and keep within the time your driver needs to reach Lachen or Lachung.
