North Bengal hit by incessant rainfall, flood-like situation in Jalpaiguri

“We have shifted the families from the low-lying areas. They have been provided with temporary shelter in community halls and are being provided with food and medicines,” Jalpaiguri Municipality chief Papia Pal said.

Meanwhile, the Met Department said heavy to very heavy rain is likely to continue till July 12 in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar and Alipurduar districts of north Bengal. Jalpaiguri town recorded 166 mm rainfall in 24 hours till 8.30 am on Sunday, while Bagdogra received 103 mm rainfall during the same period.

The National Highway 10, connecting north Bengal with Sikkim, has been closed since Saturday night due to landslides at several places. “While repair work has begun, it is not clear when the normal traffic will resume on the NH-10 that connects Kalimpong and Sikkim to Siliguri,” an official said, adding traffic movement to and from Sikkim is currently being regulated through other routes.