300 families evacuated from Jalpaiguri due to flood-like situation

Heavy rainfall has led to flood-like situations in several areas of North Bengal with the Meteorological Department predicting heavy showers in the region in the days ahead. Several low-lying areas in Jalpaiguri district are getting submerged in rainwater.

More than 300 families have been evacuated and moved to community halls and flood shelters. Areas like Moynaguri, Dhupguri, and Kranti, apart from Jalpaiguri town have been hit. “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, Cooch Behar, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar districts. Jalpaiguri town recorded 166 mm rainfall in 24 hours till 8.30 am on Sunday, while Bagdogra received 103 mm rainfall.

The National Highway 10, connecting north Bengal with Sikkim, has been closed since Saturday night due to several landslides. “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.