Landslides, floods disrupt life across Bengal & Sikkim

Torrential rain over the past 24 hours triggered flash floods and landslides across the Himalayan region, disrupting road connectivity and triggering panic among residents and travellers alike.

In north Bengal, the Teesta swelled beyond its banks early Tuesday, inundating roads and submerging portions of national highway 10 at Ravi Jhora. Traffic movement between Darjeeling and Kalimpong was severely affected as parts of the highway were waterlogged, prompting immediate response from local authorities.

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Restoration work began swiftly, with earthmovers deployed to clear silt and debris along NH-10, especially in the Tarkhola area, where a major landslide had halted vehicular movement. Alarmed by the rising water levels, local residents took shelter as police patrolled the area, issuing flood alerts and suspending traffic to ensure safety. Though NH-10 was reopened later in the afternoon, vehicular movement remained restricted under strict surveillance.

In neighbouring Sikkim, the heavy downpour caused significant damage to road infrastructure. A press release from the 72nd Battalion of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) based in Yuksam stated that the formation of the road at Box Cutting area near Daramdin, along the NDP Road at the 19th kilometre, was badly affected. The roads and bridges department of the Sikkim government has initiated restoration work, while a complete ban on the movement of heavy vehicles has been enforced at the site. Alternative routes via Tharpu–Timberbong–Soreng–Sombaria and Karthok–Lower Rumbuk have been suggested for diverted traffic.

Separately, a landslide on the Rimbi–Darap road near Rimbi waterfalls on 28 July around 9.15 p.m. disrupted movement in western Sikkim. Locals promptly reported the incident to the 72nd Bn SSB, which immediately mobilised a rescue and relief team under the direction of Commandant and led by Dy. Commandant Meghnath Raut.

The team worked through the night to clear debris and reopen the road. Their swift response not only restored traffic movement but also drew praise from passengers and villagers who were stranded due to the slide.