Flood-like Situation In Northern West Bengal; IMD Forecasts More Rains

In Jalpaiguri town, several areas have been submerged in rainwater.

Jalpaiguri/Kolkata: Some low-lying areas of West Bengal are experiencing flood-like conditions, and road communications within the state have been disrupted due to continuous rain in various sub-Himalayan districts. The Meteorological Department has predicted further rainfall for Sunday.

In the town of Jalpaiguri, numerous areas are submerged due to rainwater, causing around 300 families to relocate to community halls and flood shelters, according to Jalpaiguri Municipality chairperson Papia Pal. The Meteorological Department forecasts heavy to very heavy rainfall until July 12 in the sub-Himalayan districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Coochbehar, and Alipurduar.

National Highway 10, which links northern West Bengal to Sikkim, has been shut down to traffic since Saturday night due to landslides in certain areas, according to an official. He stated that traffic to and from Sikkim is now being directed through alternative routes.

Police and other departments are urgently acting to prevent breaches of National Highway 27 at Dhupguri in the Jalpaiguri district, where many areas have been submerged due to continuous rainfall, stated an official.

A close watch is being kept on the rise in water levels of Teesta and Korola rivers, he said.

Numerous locations in Dhupguri, Moynaguri, and Kranti within the Jalpaiguri district, in addition to the main town, have experienced the impacts of torrential rains.

Families taking refuge in community halls in Jalpaiguri town are receiving food and medical services, according to municipality chairperson Pal.

“We are ready with additional provisions to deal with the evolving situation,” she said.

Large areas of farmland have been inundated in the Moynaguri and Kranti blocks of the district. Jalpaiguri town registered 166 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours leading up to 8:30 am on Sunday, and Bagdogra recorded 103 mm of rainfall in the same timeframe.

(With PTI inputs)