Heavy rain and landslides have caused major damage in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district on Sunday. Several people have died, and many houses and roads have been damaged.
The Dhudia iron bridge over the Balason River at Dudhia — which connects Siliguri and Mirik — has collapsed due to the strong flow of water caused by continuous rainfall.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had already issued a red alert for very heavy rain in the sub-Himalayan areas of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar.
Darjeeling MP and BJP leader Raju Bista said that there have been “several deaths and large-scale damage to homes and property” in the area. Though the total number of deaths is not yet confirmed, officials said at least four people are feared dead in Mirik because of landslides.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for several parts of north Bengal due to very heavy rainfall.
On Saturday, the IMD warned that Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar districts could receive heavy rain.
For Sunday, a red alert has been issued for Alipurduar, while an orange alert (warning of heavy rain) remains for Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Jalpaiguri.
According to the latest update from RMC Kolkata, a red alert for extremely heavy rain is in place for Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar until 12 noon.
