Torrential Rains in North Bengal: Unprecedented torrential rainfall across North Bengal has brought large parts of the Dooars, Darjeeling Hills, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar to a standstill. What began as seasonal showers turned into catastrophic flooding within hours, leaving five people dead, scores missing, and thousands displaced. Rivers like the Teesta, Jaldhaka, and Torsa swelled beyond danger levels, submerging roads, tea estates, and residential colonies.
The heavy downpour that began late Thursday night intensified on Friday morning, causing major landslides and washing away bridges and culverts. The Regional Meteorological Centre in Alipore confirmed that North Bengal districts recorded rainfall well above the seasonal average.
According to a report from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Jalpaiguri district alone received over 200mm of rain within 24 hours—one of the highest recorded in recent years.
Villages Submerged, Families Stranded in Rising Waters
The Dooars region, home to dozens of tea estates and forest villages, has been the worst hit. In Jalpaiguri, the rising waters of the Diana, Jaldhaka, and Raidak rivers flooded low-lying areas such as Banarhat, Nagrakata, and Malbazar.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as villagers clung to trees and rooftops waiting for rescue teams. In some areas, local residents used country boats and makeshift rafts to transport children and the elderly to safety.
“Everything was gone within minutes. The river came rushing into our village, and we had no time to save our belongings,” said 48-year-old Subhadra Rai from Nagrakata. “We are staying at the school building now, but there is no food or drinking water.”
District authorities confirmed that over 15,000 residents have been shifted to temporary relief camps across Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar.
Bridges Collapse, Roads Cut Off, and Transport Disrupted
Infrastructure has taken a severe hit. The National Highway 31C connecting Siliguri to Alipurduar was blocked at multiple points due to landslides and waterlogging. A section of the vital Coronation Bridge near Sevoke was temporarily closed as a safety precaution after cracks appeared on its pillars.
Train services between New Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar were disrupted as the tracks were submerged near Hasimara and Dalgaon. The Indian Railways has suspended several passenger and freight services until the tracks are restored.
Public transport within tea belt areas is nearly impossible, with many internal roads washed away or buried under mudslides.
Tea Gardens Devastated — Livelihoods at Risk
The iconic tea gardens of the Dooars and Terai, the economic lifeline of the region, have suffered massive losses. Several estates—like Binnaguri, Nagrakata, and Hantapara—have reported extensive damage to plantations and workers’ quarters.
“We have lost nearly 30 percent of our crop due to flooding,” said a senior manager of a leading tea estate. “The fields are waterlogged, and workers cannot resume plucking for at least another week.”
According to estimates from the Tea Board India, the total loss to the tea industry in the region may run into several crores if the rains persist.
Darjeeling Hills Suffer Landslides and Power Cuts
In the hilly areas of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Kurseong, landslides have cut off road links and triggered house collapses. Entire slopes have caved in, damaging electricity poles and water pipelines.
Kalimpong town reported at least four major landslides, and two families were buried under debris before being rescued by disaster response teams. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed in vulnerable zones to carry out evacuation and relief operations.
Electricity supply has been intermittent since Friday evening, with power substations in Pedong and Algarah submerged.
State Government Steps In: Relief and Restoration Work Underway
The West Bengal government has swung into action to coordinate relief measures. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reviewed the situation through a video conference with district magistrates of Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and Darjeeling.
According to a statement from the Department of Disaster Management and Civil Defence, West Bengal, over 100 relief camps have been set up, and food packets, tarpaulin sheets, and medical aid are being distributed.
Banerjee has directed officials to ensure that drinking water, baby food, and sanitary supplies are made available at all camps. She also instructed the PWD and Irrigation Departments to inspect damaged bridges and culverts.
Torrential Rains in North Bengal: Central Assistance and IMD Warning
Meanwhile, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has been briefed on the disaster, and officials from the Central Water Commission have been sent to assess river levels.
The IMD has issued an “orange alert” for the next 48 hours, warning of continued heavy rainfall in sub-Himalayan West Bengal, including Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Jalpaiguri. Residents have been advised to avoid hilly roads and stay indoors during downpours.
Locals Demand Long-Term Flood Control Measures
Residents and activists have criticized both the state and central governments for neglecting flood management infrastructure in the region. They argue that the Dooars and Terai regions, despite being flood-prone, lack adequate embankments, drainage systems, and early warning mechanisms.
“We face this every year, and yet no permanent solution has been implemented,” said environmental activist Ranjan Pradhan from Malbazar. “The government must invest in better flood forecasting systems and repair embankments before the monsoon, not after the damage is done.”
The Central Water Commission (CWC) has long recommended river training and embankment strengthening in the Jaldhaka basin, but progress has been slow.
Tourism Hit Hard in the Foothills and Hills
North Bengal’s tourism industry has also been severely impacted. Hotels in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Dooars have reported mass cancellations, with roads blocked and landslides making travel unsafe.
Tour operators say that if conditions don’t improve soon, the festive tourist season around Durga Puja could see major losses. The West Bengal Tourism Department has advised visitors to postpone non-essential travel to the region until weather conditions stabilize.
Environmental Concerns: Experts Warn of Climate Change Impact
Climate scientists from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) have linked the increasing frequency and intensity of rainfall events in the eastern Himalayas to global climate change.
“The monsoon pattern is becoming more erratic, with short bursts of extreme rainfall replacing prolonged moderate showers,” explained Dr. P. S. Mahapatra, a senior meteorologist. “Urban expansion and deforestation in foothill areas further reduce the land’s ability to absorb runoff, worsening floods.”
Hope Amid Destruction
As rescue teams continue their work, many survivors remain hopeful that aid will arrive soon. Volunteers and NGOs have joined forces to distribute relief materials in remote villages, while community kitchens have been set up by local youth clubs.
Despite the devastation, the resilience of the people of North Bengal stands tall. In villages where homes have been washed away, neighbors have opened doors to displaced families, exemplifying solidarity amid suffering.
External Government Sources for Verification
- India Meteorological Department (IMD)
- Central Water Commission (CWC)
- West Bengal Disaster Management Department
- National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
- Tea Board India
- West Bengal Tourism Department
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