Storm in Jalpaiguri Damages Hundreds of Houses, Disrupts Rail Services for Hours

MP, May 22, 2026, Jalpaiguri : A devastating storm that swept across parts of Jalpaiguri district in the early hours of Thursday left a trail of destruction, damaging several hundred houses in four villages under Nandanpur Boalmari Gram Panchayat and parts of Mandalghat on the outskirts of Jalpaiguri town.

The storm also disrupted train services between Haldibari and New Jalpaiguri (NJP) via Siliguri Junction until around 9 a.m., causing severe inconvenience to passengers.

The storm struck suddenly at around 4:30 a.m., affecting areas including Tanti Para, Thog Para, Bania Para and Boda Para under Nandanpur Boalmari Gram Panchayat in Jalpaiguri Sadar block, along with parts of Mandalghat Panchayat and adjoining municipal areas.

Strong winds uprooted trees, damaged houses and electric poles, and blocked roads and railway tracks in several places. Large parts of the affected areas remained without electricity after power lines snapped during the storm.

The administration immediately deployed Civil Defence personnel for relief and restoration work.

One of the affected residents, Sachin Majumdar, said: “The storm suddenly began around 4:30 in the morning. I saw everything being blown away before my eyes. Somehow, I managed to survive by taking shelter under the bed with my wife and small child. I do not know how we will get through tonight.”

Train services on the Haldibari–NJP route came to a halt after trees fell on railway tracks near Mandalghat station. Passenger trains travelling between Haldibari, Balurghat and Bamanhat, along with the DMU train bound for NJP, were stranded due to the obstruction.

A major accident was narrowly averted when the Digha-bound Paharia Express was brought to an emergency halt after the loco pilot spotted a tree lying across the tracks near the Mandalghat rail gate.

According to railway sources, the train had departed from Haldibari at around 4:15 a.m. when it encountered the storm near Mandalghat station. Eyewitness Bablu Roy said branches of a banyan tree fell on overhead electric wires near the station, causing sparks to fly before the train stopped.

Power supply to the overhead railway lines was immediately disconnected, affecting multiple train services. A rescue engine was later sent to clear trees from the tracks and overhead wires.

Railway services resumed around 9 a.m. after emergency restoration work.

The administration, along with Civil Defence personnel, fire brigade teams and police, continued restoration efforts throughout the day, while electricity department workers worked to restore power supply.

Officials are also assessing the overall extent of the damage caused by the storm.

Courtesy & source- Millennium Post