Impact of Phailin in Darjeeling

KalimNews, Kalimpong, 15 October 2013: Heavy rainfall in Darjeeling during the last 24 hrs is recorded as an impact or the Cyclone Phailin. 

Areas of Sub Himalayan West Bengal (SHWB) and Sikkim with continual rainfall and strong winds lashing it for the third consecutive day since Sunday. 

The 48 hours warning of impact of Cyclone Phailin in the area will be over by the afternoon of Tuesday but so far there is no sign of clear sky. 

The areas of the Sub Himalayan range has also been experiencing low temperature since Sunday. Today the temperature in Darjeeling was around 16 degree C and in Kalimpong was around 22 degree C. 

As per the record collected by the Save the Hills highest rainfall in the last 24 hrs (till 6 am of 15th October) in Darjeeling is 185 mm followed by Kalimpong is 117 mm and Gangtok is 62 mm. 

SaveTheHills (STH) is a Kalimpong based NGO working towards raising awareness about landslides in the Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalaya which is one of the most landslide prone areas of the world. 

These areas experienced winds blowing at a speed of 40-50 kmph which has been gradually lowered bit it is expected that light to mild rainfall in the areas including the plains may occur. 

It is also reported that Bihar has been experiencing strong winds and rains and the cyclone has made impact in Nepal since Sunday with incessant rains. In view of the flood scare and strong winds, the government of Bihar has cut power supply in many areas across the State to prevent rain-related mishaps. 

The weather satellite images show the Phailin clouds covering the eastern half of Sub Himalayan range including Nepal. Clouds are likely to remain until Wednesday with chances of rain. Monsoon will remain here as there will be rain in Nepal´s atmosphere until its impact in Nepal, said Senior weather expert Bidyaratna Shakya. End of monsoon will be declared after it gets ineffective. 

So far there were no official reports of storm-related casualty and no deaths so far.