Incessant rainfall across Sikkim and neighbouring Bhutan has triggered widespread flooding and landslides, disrupting road connectivity and affecting several areas of Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Siliguri and Sikkim.
Phuentsholing town in Bhutan was among the worst affected, with large parts of the town, including the approach road to the Indo-Bhutan Gate, remaining under water since midnight following heavy overnight rainfall. Hundreds of LPG cylinders were swept away by floodwaters from Bhutan and floated into Jaigaon on the Indian side.
Several rivers overflowed after breaching their banks, inundating low-lying and vulnerable areas in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts.
Overnight rain severely affected Jaigaon, the gateway to Bhutan. A bridge connecting Gongrizomsa and Lingzin in Bhutan was washed away, bringing vehicular movement to a complete halt.
The floodwaters flowing down from Bhutan also washed away a diversion connecting Jaigaon and Hasimara. The diversion had been constructed to facilitate the movement of heavy vehicles between India and Bhutan after the existing bridge was declared unsafe.
Jharna Basti in Jaigaon remained under water since midnight, with portions of a road caving in at several places. Local residents sought immediate administrative assistance. Jaigaon and Banarhat police urged people living in vulnerable areas to shift to safer places with their essential belongings and important documents as floodwaters continued to rise.
The Dalsingpara tea belt was badly affected. At Jaldapara National Park, the swollen Halong River washed away a temporary bridge leading to the Jaldapara Tourist Lodge, while parts of the lodge were inundated. Forest officials and the district administration are monitoring the situation.
Landslides were reported along the Siliguri-Mirik Road, while large parts of Matigara in the Siliguri subdivision were submerged. Heavy rain also affected several areas of Cooch Behar, besides causing extensive flooding in Hasimara and Jaigaon.
In Sikkim, the Phidang-Sangkalang route in Lower Dzongu of Mangan district was severely affected after the Bailey bridge over the Phee Khola was washed away due to overnight rainfall, disrupting vehicular movement.
Mangan District Collector Anant Jain, accompanied by Superintendent of Police L.B. Chettri and the Officer Commanding of 107 RCC GREF, visited the affected site on Sunday morning to assess the damage. Restoration work is expected to be completed within a week, subject to favourable weather conditions.
In the plains, overnight rainfall left several areas of Dabgram-Fulbari, near Uttarkanya, and Matigara in Siliguri sub division under water.
Dabgram-Fulbari MLA Shikha Chatterjee visited the affected areas and supervised the demolition of alleged illegal structures that had encroached upon roadsides and obstructed drainage channels, using bulldozers to facilitate the drainage of floodwater.
By late Sunday morning, Matigara was extensively inundated, forcing several families to leave their homes and take shelter along roadsides.
Anandamay Barman, MLA of Matigara and Minister of State for Finance and Transport, personally joined rescue operations by wading through floodwaters. He also faced the anger of several residents who were caught off guard by the sudden flooding. Pump sets and excavators were pressed into service to clear waterlogged areas.
Appealing for calm, Barman urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain patient and assured them of assistance.
“If you need a safer shelter, you are welcome to come to my home. I will provide both shelter and food,” Barman said.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as heavy rainfall continues across the region, raising concerns over further flooding, landslides and damage to infrastructure.