In Pictures: Heavy rain batters north Bengal, Darjeeling hills, Sikkim

Heavy rainfall causes widespread flooding and landslides in North Bengal and Sikkim, displacing families, damaging infrastructure, and stranding tourists

TT, 08.07.24 : 

Heavy Rainfall floods North Bengal

Heavy rain has created a flood-like situation in several areas of north Bengal. In Jalpaiguri district, low-lying areas like Dhupguri, Moynaguri, and Kranti are submerged, which has also forced 300 families to evacuate to shelters, PTI reported on Monday. Heavy rain has also affected villages and tea plantations in Coochbehar and Alipurduar districts. On Monday, the Met department warned of heavy rain till July 12 in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Coochbehar and Alipurduar earlier today. 

Landslides destroy roads and flood villages in Sikkim 

Heavy rain has also hit Sikkim, causing fresh landslides and flooding of rivers like the Teesta. In North Sikkim, a swollen stream swept away an under-construction road near Lachen. Teesta Bazar also witnessed flooding on the Darjeeling-Kalimpong road and NH 10 as of Sunday. 

In Cooch Behar, the Raidak river flooded two villages in Tufanganj 2 block, displacing 150 families. “The block administration and the state irrigation department are trying to control erosion and flooding,” a senior official of Bengal told PTI. Authorities at present are facing a shortage of boulders for protection works. “It is not possible to collect boulders as the rivers have swollen. We are working with the stock we have, but we need more soon,” added the official on Monday.

NH10 closure disrupts traffic; Jalpaiguri families receive aid 

National Highway 10, linking northern West Bengal with Sikkim, has been closed due to landslides. This closure has led to traffic being rerouted, and officials are at present closely monitoring National Highway 27 at Dhupguri, which has been submerged. Families in Jalpaiguri town shelters are receiving food and medical aid. “The families who have taken shelter in community halls in Jalpaiguri town were being provided food and medical facilities. We are ready with additional provisions to deal with the evolving situation," Jalpaiguri Municipality chief Papia Pal was quoted as saying by PTI on Monday.

Darjeeling halts iconic Toy Train and tourist spots amid heavy rain

Heavy rain and landslides in Darjeeling has disturbed normal life, leading to the closure of tourist spots and the iconic toy train ride on Saturday. The town received 130 mm of rain till the late hours of Sunday leading to mudslides. The GTA banned tourists from Rock Garden and Gangamaya Park on Saturday until any further notice. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway halted its NJP-Darjeeling run due to landslides and roadblocks on NH-55. “The administration has informed the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway about the stretch and advised halting toy train movement between Sukna and Kurseong,” reported PTI on Monday.

Courtesy & source- The Telegraph

https://www.telegraphindia.com/gallery/in-pictures-rain-batters-north-bengal-darjeeling-hills-sikkim-photogallery/cid/2032330?slide=4