The picturesque hills of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Sikkim have been plunged into chaos as severe rainstorms unleashed devastating landslides, just weeks before the highly anticipated Durga Puja tourist season. The relentless downpour, which began on Wednesday, has caused widespread damage, crippling infrastructure and leaving residents facing a challenging situation.
Major roads, including Sikkim’s vital National Highway 10, have been closed due to landslides, severely disrupting connectivity and impacting the flow of essential supplies. The Teesta River, swollen by the heavy rainfall, has breached its banks at several points, leading to widespread flooding, particularly in the Teesta Bazar area of Kalimpong. Power disruptions have added to the misery, with Darjeeling and Kalimpong experiencing prolonged blackouts.
The situation took a turn for the worse on Friday night as heavy rainfall triggered multiple landslides, prompting the Kalimpong district administration to close National Highway 10. Further landslides struck critical areas like Darjeeling College, Rimbik, and Sukhiapokhri in Darjeeling, and Bhalukhop and Melli in Kalimpong.
Adding to the woes, water releases from multiple dams along the Teesta River have exacerbated the flooding, pushing residents to the brink. Officials in Jalpaiguri’s Takmari and Malbazar sub-division have issued warnings to residents about potential flooding, urging them to take necessary precautions.
“The situation is critical,” said Yogita Chhetri, a member of the local Teesta gram panchayat. “On Friday, PWD workers brought a JCB to remove debris, but ongoing rain and fresh landslides halted the work.”
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to visit Siliguri on Sunday to assess the damage in North Bengal and hold an administrative meeting.
Across the border in Sikkim, the situation is equally alarming, with the India Meteorological Department issuing a red alert. Reports indicate that Mangan in North Sikkim has been cut off from the rest of the state, and numerous homes in Soreng district’s Daramdin have been damaged by the relentless rains and landslides.
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has urged residents to avoid non-essential travel and stay away from flood-prone areas. He reassured the public that the state government is closely monitoring the situation and taking all necessary steps to mitigate the impact.
The regions along the Teesta riverbed in Sikkim and Darjeeling have been grappling with distress since a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) occurred in South Lhonak Lake in October last year, causing widespread damage and affecting over 80,000 people. Landslides and flooding during the pre-monsoon season earlier this year further compounded the damage.
This recurring natural disaster poses a serious threat to the region, especially as it prepares for the lucrative October tourist season and the upcoming winter months, when tourism serves as the backbone of the local economy. The current situation has cast a shadow over the upcoming tourist season, raising concerns about the economic impact on the already vulnerable communities.
