Meteorological conditions
We had an 'Orange Alert' for heavy rain in our region
which was upgraded to a 'Red Warning' on 25Aug2023.
Media Report
Excerpt from the Millenium Post (25Aug2023)
Amitava Banerjee
Darjeeling: Incessant rain triggered landslides in the Hills claiming the
life of a 59-year-old in Darjeeling. A three-and-a-half-year-old also lost his
life in a landslide in Sikkim. Numerous landslides occurred in Darjeeling owing
to the continuous heavy rainfall. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)
has issued a “Red” alert for Saturday followed by a “Yellow” on Sunday. The
rise in the water level of River Teesta in the Kalimpong district has emerged
as a major cause of concern. 15 families have been shifted from the vulnerable
areas- banks of the River Teesta. “59-year-old Baburam Rai died in a landslide
in Puttabong tea estate under the Rangit-1 Gram Panchayat, Bijanbari block,
Darjeeling,” stated S Ponnambalam, District Magistrate, Darjeeling.
A landslide occurred at around 7 am in the Guest House area of Puttabong on
Friday. The houses of Baburam Rai and Uttam Rai were totally damaged in the
slide. Baburam was also buried below the debris. Fire brigade, police and local
residents later managed to recover his body. A landslide occurred at
Bangladanra in Rungbul on the National Highway 55 to Siliguri at around 9 am.
Two huge uprooted trees blocked the National Highway, bringing traffic to a
standstill. The trees were removed and debris cleared with traffic resuming
around 11 am. Rimbik was cut off for a while with both the roads connecting
Rimbik blocked by landslides. A slide occurred at Khopeydanra at around 6 am
cutting off Rimbik from Maneybhanjyang. The road connecting to 3rd Mile was
also blocked owing to an uprooted tree. Work was on to clear the road.
One shop belonging to Jayram was totally damaged along with around 11 houses
partially damaged owing to a landslide in Gudamdhura, in Tamansang under
Sukhiapokhari, Jorebungalow. Sandeep Chhetri, GTA Sabhasad of Marybong Tamsang
had a narrow escape when his vehicle turned turtle while on a visit to
landslide affected areas near Lingia Tea Estate Factory. The Sabhasad suffered
minor bruises while his driver also escaped unhurt. The IMD issuing a “Red”
rainfall warning has forecasted heavy to very heavy rainfall (7-20cm) at one or
two places coupled with thunderstorms and lightning in the districts of
Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri on Saturday.
My thanks to members of 'Hazard Alerts' our Whats App group for the information on landslides.
Praful Rao
Kalimpong district
Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalaya
savethehills@gmail.com
9475033744
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