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North Bengal Flood Threat: Rivers Overflow Amid Cyclone Remnant Rains

North Bengal is facing another serious flood threat as rivers overflow following heavy rains from Cyclone Montha's aftermath. The Shisamara River dam has been breached, flooding multiple areas and forcing hundreds to evacuate to emergency shelters. Critical infrastructure has been damaged including the collapse of an approach road on Asian Highway-48. With more heavy rain forecasted and water being released from Teesta barrage, authorities are on high alert across the region.

Key Points: North Bengal Flood Alert as Rivers Rise After Heavy Rains

  • Under-construction dam on Shisamara River breached by floodwaters from Bhutan
  • 200-250 families evacuated to Lalturam High School shelter
  • Asian Highway-48 approach road collapsed causing major traffic disruptions
  • Jalpaiguri received 170mm rainfall with more heavy rain forecasted
2 min read

Threat of another flood looms large in north Bengal with rivers overflowing following incessant rain

North Bengal faces renewed flood threat as rivers overflow following Cyclone Montha rains, forcing evacuations and damaging infrastructure in multiple districts.

"If the water level rises further, the situation will become serious. - Subhash Roy, Shalkumar 1 Gram Panchayat Head"

Kolkata, Nov 1

The threat of another flood looms large in north Bengal, following incessant rain for the last two days due to the after-effects of Cyclone Montha, causing the water level of the rivers to start to rise above the danger level, triggering panic among the people of a fresh flood and landslides in the hill districts.

According to reports, the under-construction dam on the Shisamara River was breached by the water from Bhutan, flooding various areas of Shalkumar 1 and Shalkumar 2 gram panchayats. About 200 people have left their homes in the area and have taken shelter in the local Lalturam High School. The local gram panchayat has made arrangements for their accommodation and food.

Subhash Roy, head of Shalkumar 1 Gram Panchayat, told media persons: "The dam on the Shisamara River, where it was built on an emergency basis, has broken and water has entered various areas, including Notun Para and Munshipara in Shalkumar. We have rescued 200 to 250 families and brought them to the local Notun Para Lalturam High School. Efforts are being made to rescue livestock and other materials from the house. If the water level rises further, the situation will become serious."

State Disaster Management Department personnel have been deployed in Shalkumar. The district council is also monitoring the situation. Officials are using loudspeakers to evacuate people from low-lying areas. It is worth mentioning that the worst damage was done to Shalkumar 1 and Shalkumar 2 gram panchayat areas of Alipurduar district in the disaster of October 5, when massive flooding and landslides were reported from north Bengal following overnight torrential rain.

Meanwhile, the approach road of Birpara Gerganda Bridge on Asian Highway- 48 in Birpara has also collapsed. As a result, there has been traffic congestion on the way from Northeast India and Bhutan to Siliguri in West Bengal.

According to the Met Department, Jalpaiguri district received about 170 mm of rain since Friday. As a result, water is being released from the Teesta barrage. The residents of the Teestapar area are in panic. However, the Irrigation Department personnel are monitoring the situation all the time. Along with Jalpaiguri, it is also raining in the Darjeeling district. According to the forecast, there is a possibility of heavy rain in Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts later in the day. Light to moderate rain will continue in North Bengal on Sunday as well. The weather is likely to change from Monday onwards.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh Q
Why are we building dams on emergency basis? This is exactly what happens - they break under pressure. Proper planning and construction is needed, not temporary solutions. Hope the authorities learn from this.
A
Arjun K
The bridge collapse on AH-48 is very concerning. This affects connectivity to Northeast and Bhutan. Hope they repair it quickly. Meanwhile, people should avoid unnecessary travel in these areas.
S
Sarah B
Good to see the gram panchayat acting quickly and providing shelter at the school. This is how communities should come together during disasters. Hope they have enough supplies for everyone.
V
Vikram M
170mm rain in Jalpaiguri is massive! No wonder rivers are overflowing. Climate change is making these extreme weather events more frequent. We need better disaster management systems in place.
M
Michael C
The mention of rescuing livestock is important - for many families, their animals are their livelihood. Glad they're thinking about that aspect too. Hope the weather improves by Monday as forecasted.
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Nisha Z
My cousin lives in Alipurduar and they're really worried. The October 5 floods were terrible, and now this again. Government should provide permanent rehabilitation for people in flood-prone areas.

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