Heavy rainfall cuts off access to Lohagarh

EOI, Siliguri, 31 Aug 2015: After torrential rains washed away the diversion constructed a week ago over 'Guye Khola', Lohagarh and its environs have once again got cut-off from the rest of the country. 

The continuous downpour since Saturday morning washed away the diversion this morning making it impossible for vehicles to reach Lohagarh, Potong and Khaprail. It will be difficult for Lohagarh tea garden to operate its factory as there is no other alternative way to transport rations, fuel, coal and other essential materials. Sashastra Seema Bal personnel on the Indo-Nepal border along the Mechi river will also find it difficult to procure rations and other materials. 

The bridge over Guye Khola at No. 20 section of the tea garden had collapsed in 2012 due to heavy rainfall and the diversion had been constructed only on August 15 of this year after a gap of nearly three years. The route to reach Siliguri via Chenga and Panighatta was also blocked after the road got damaged when the Manjha river changed its course on August 14. 

Nearly 5,000 people including more than 2,000 students are contending with severe problems after both the routes got blocked. Lohagarh tea garden manager Sunil Panwar said, "It will be difficult for the management to run the factory as trucks carrying essentials aren’t able to enter Lohagarh."