Darjeeling, Sept. 25 -- Amid incessant rainfall, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of widespread rain and thunderstorms across North Bengal over the next few days, with a red warning of extremely heavy rainfall at one or two places in Darjeeling district till the morning of September 26. A flash flood warning has also been issued for North Bengal.
The IMD has issued a yellow warning for heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri districts on September 26. Widespread light to moderate rain is likely on September 27, while scattered rainfall is expected across North Bengal from September 28 to October 2. The weather office has also warned of landslides in hilly areas and the possibility of flash floods in low-lying areas.
Several landslides were reported in Darjeeling district. At Takdah Block Primary Health Centre, a landslide damaged a wall of the hospital. Nirmal Tamang (60), the father of a patient from Jinglam, was grievously injured and admitted to the ICU of Darjeeling district hospital.
Road connectivity was also affected, with the Glenburn-Simbong road cut off. Landslides were reported at Murmah in Mirik, on the Kaijale-Maneybhanjyang road and at several locations in Lodhama, Badamtam and Goke gram panchayats in Pulbazar block.
At around 8.45 am on Friday, a landslide at Mahanadi forced the closure of NH110 between Kurseong and Siliguri via Tindharia.
Darjeeling police cleared the debris with an earth mover and reopened the road.
Another landslide occurred on Lebong Cart Road in Darjeeling town, above the District Collectorate, where Civil Defence personnel and police ensured smooth traffic flow.
Arjun Vahini, Civil Defence Volunteers (CDV), Quick Response Teams (QRT) and the Integrated District Emergency Operations Centre (IDEOC) were deployed early on Friday in the Darjeeling Hills.
"The district administration is closely monitoring the situation and all response mechanisms have been kept on high alert. Our teams are working on the ground to restore connectivity and essential services at the earliest and provide assistance wherever required.
The administration remains fully prepared to respond promptly to any emergency arising from the weather conditions," said Harishanker Panicker, District Magistrate, Darjeeling. Meanwhile, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) passenger services between NJP and Darjeeling were suspended on Friday.
In the 24 hours recorded till 9 am on Friday, Darjeeling received 188 mm of rainfall, while Kurseong recorded 50.1 mm, Siliguri 75.90 mm and Mirik 75.1 mm.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.