Kolkata, Sep 28: Continuous heavy rainfall has triggered severe landslides in Darjeeling and Kalimpong, severely disrupting traffic on National Highway 10. The route from Teesta Bazar to Kalimpong is completely blocked, marking a dire situation across north Bengal. Intense rains in nearby Sikkim have further exacerbated conditions, compounding the crisis in both the hills and plains of the region. Additionally, the release of floodwater from the Teesta barrage has worsened the situation, particularly in low-lying areas where residents are being continuously alerted by local authorities.
District officials have expressed concern over ongoing rains, predicting further precipitation could trigger additional landslides. “There has been continuous rainfall since Friday afternoon. If this continues, the situation will become even more critical,” stated a district administration official. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced plans to visit north Bengal on Sunday to personally assess the situation in flood-affected areas, with no return date to Kolkata yet specified.
Tour operators are bracing for potential financial losses during the upcoming festival season, which includes Durga Puja and Diwali, due to the adverse weather conditions. While north Bengal struggles with its critical state, south Bengal has seen significant improvement, benefiting from a dry spell since Friday. Floodwaters have begun to recede in areas such as Howrah, Hooghly, East Midnapore, and West Midnapore, providing some relief to residents there.
The situation remains tense as north Bengal hopes for a break in the weather to prevent further deterioration and restore normalcy to the region.
Original Story https://assamtribune.com/national/fresh-landslides-in-hills-of-north-bengal-traffic-out-of-gear-on-nh-10-1552990
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