Bengal: Flash Floods In Kalimpong Trigger Large-Scale Evacuations, NH 10 Closed

As heavy rain battered the state, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said arrangements have been made to evacuate people from Kalimpong, Darjeeling, and Jalpaiguri to safer places.

Various areas in Kalimpong, including Teesta Bazar and Rampu, have been hit by heavy rain resulting in floods. National Highway 10, which links Siliguri with Gangtok, was closed near Kalimpong, reported ABP Ananda. A red alert has been issued in areas near the banks of the Teesta, including Ghazaldoba, due to a rise in the water levels. The heavy rain in north Bengal triggered flash floods in areas like Kalimpong.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after holding a meeting at state secretariat Nabanna said arrangements have been made to evacuate people from Kalimpong, Darjeeling, and Jalpaiguri to safer places. Senior state ministers and officials have been rushed to North Bengal to oversee the rescue operations and distribution of relief materials.

According to the India Meteorological Department, parts of sub-Himalayan West Bengal (north Bengal) received very heavy rain over the past 24 hours. "Pedong received 19 cm rain, Kalimpong 13 cm, Darjeeling 12 cm, Lava 11 cm, and Jhallong 10 cm from 8.30 AM on Tuesday to 8.30 AM Wednesday," the IMD said.

Gangetic West Bengal received "exceptionally heavy rainfall" during the same period. "Barisha received 52 cm of rain while Amgachia 44 cm, Sabang 44 cm, Panskura 24 cm, Haldia 13 cm, and Itamogra received 13 cm of heavy rain," the weather department said.

Forecast

In a press statement, IMD said that a low-pressure area lies over the western parts of Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining Jharkhand. "It is very likely to move slowly northeastwards during next 2 days across West Bengal," the statement read. The IMD further forecast isolated extremely heavy rainfall over West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, and Meghalaya over the next 2 days and exceptionally heavy rainfall over sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim on October 5 (Thursday).

Parts of Bihar and Jharkhand are also expected to get Isolated very heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours. According to the IMD's forecast widespread rain is likely to continue over the next seven days in Bengal.

Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said that she the Chief Secretary to coordinate disaster management preparedness measures at the earliest. "All steps have been taken to evacuate people in the districts of Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri to safer places. Senior ministers of the state and senior IAS officers have been rushed to North Bengal to oversee rescue and relief operations. Close vigil is being kept to ensure no loss of life in this grave calamity," she posted on X.