Heavy Rainfall Disrupts Life in North Bengal, Red Alert Issued in Several Districts

Kolkata, June 28: Heavy rainfall over the past few days has severely impacted life in the hilly regions of North Bengal. Numerous tourists are stranded at various hill stations. Landslides have disrupted road connectivity between the mountains and the plains in several areas.

In the Alipurduar district, many regions are submerged due to the rain. Meanwhile, the water level of the Torsa River in Cooch Behar district continues to rise. Traffic on the Falakata Road in Alipurduar has come to a complete standstill.

According to administrative officials, a landslide occurred in Mirik on Sunday morning after continuous rain overnight. Debris removal operations were initiated immediately. Additionally, several areas in Alipurduar city are flooded, including wards 1, 4, 5, 8, and 9. The rising water levels of the Dima and Kaljani rivers have led to the closure of sluice gates, preventing water from draining out of the city.

The situation in Cooch Behar district remains concerning. Continuous rainfall has caused the Torsa River’s water level to rise. The Madhupur area under Cooch Behar Block-2 has turned into a flood-affected zone. BJP MLA Sukumar Roy from the Cooch Behar North constituency visited the area on Sunday to assess the situation.

Authorities are closely monitoring the weather conditions and preparing to assist affected individuals. Relief materials have been stockpiled at BDO offices, and civil defense personnel are on high alert.

The meteorological department has issued a red alert for heavy rainfall in North Bengal until Monday. Forecasts indicate that Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar districts may receive up to 200 millimeters of rain. An orange alert has been issued for North Dinajpur district, while South Dinajpur and Malda districts have also been warned of thunderstorms and rain. A yellow alert is in effect for other districts due to heavy rainfall.

Due to the ongoing rain, a significant number of tourists are stranded in the hill stations of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Mirik. Landslides have forced them to use alternative routes, and they are required to stay in hotels until the roads are cleared. Reports indicate that hotel bookings have been canceled in several areas due to the adverse weather.

–