Rainfall data of Jun 2026 of some towns of Sub-Himalayan W Bengal (SHWB) and Sikkim.

 

Progress of the monsoons (Jun2026)
Technically, the monsoons in India covers the months of June/July/August and September. News paper clips and data which highlight the progress of the monsoon in June 2026 are below:

The monsoons finally arrived over the Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalaya on 10Jun2026 and with it the IMD issued an ORANGE warning (see above) for thundershowers and rain on 10/11Jun2026.
Rainfall in June was initially deficient but picked up towards the last week of June2026:

Extreme rainfall event of 18Jun2026: covered here

IMPACTS 
The impact of the rains was mostly felt after mid-June when the rains intensified and it was mostly limited to roads and infrastructure.The impact at Mirik after the 18Jun2026 rains has already been covered.
News clips on the impact are reproduced below:

Praful Rao
SaveTheHills
savethehills@gmail.com
9475033744

Extraordinary rains on 24/25Aug2023 in the Darjeeling - Sikkim Himalaya

 Meteorological conditions

Satellite images

Early Warning
We had an 'Orange Alert' for heavy rain in our region

which was upgraded to a 'Red Warning' on 25Aug2023.

Rainfall data

Landslides and other images

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

Heavy rains in the Darjeeling-Kalimpong region on 08/09Aug2023.

The meteorological conditions which led to the heavy rains are given below:

The satellite images of 08/09August2023 which were posted in our What's App group are shown:

In Kalimpong, the rains started at around 7pm and continued through the night even though the intensity was less around midnight. The rainfall intensity graph from a Davis Vantage Pro2 AWS at my home in Tirpai, Kalimpong is given below:

Unlike the localized rains of 01Aug2023, rainfall on 09Aug occurred over larger area  and included the towns of Darjeeling and Kurseong. The rainfall distribution map is given below:

The heavy rains 01Aug2023 (165.4mm) and that of 08Aug2023 (131.2mm) together add up to 296.6mm against a monthly rainfall in Aug of 495.2mm - as such we received 59.89% of our monthly rain in just two days.
Landslides
Landslides were reported in
Kalimpong - Echay bustee
Darjeeling - Rimbick
Darjeeling- Pul Bazar

Praful Rao
Kalimpong district
Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalaya
9475033744
savethehills@gmail.com

ChatGPT's essay on 'Hazards in the Himalayas'

Having heard so much about AI and ChatGPT, I decided to try it out and asked it to write a 1000word essay on 'Hazards in the Himalayas'.
Of course, I gave it many key words to keep it focused on the topic. I think it has done a marvelous job even though raw data is missing. Here it is:

"The Himalayan mountain range, stretching across several countries, is one of the most majestic and awe-inspiring natural wonders of the world. However, this magnificent landscape is also incredibly fragile and vulnerable to a wide range of hazards that pose significant risks to human life and livelihoods. From tectonic movements and seismic risks to heavy rainfall, extreme weather, and climate change, the Himalayas face a variety of hazards that require careful management and mitigation.
One of the most significant hazards facing the Himalayas is the risk of seismic activity. The region sits on a major fault line, making it highly vulnerable to earthquakes and other tectonic movements. The seismic risk in the Himalayas is further amplified by the fact that the mountains themselves are relatively new, having formed only in the last 50 million years or so. This means that the rocks and other geological features in the region are still relatively unstable and prone to shifting and moving over time.
The heavy rainfall and extreme weather conditions that are common in the Himalayas are also a significant hazard for those living in the region. In particular, cloud bursts, which can dump huge amounts of water in a short period of time, can lead to devastating flooding and landslides. These events are becoming increasingly common as a result of climate change, which is causing more extreme weather patterns in the region.
Human interference in the form of unplanned constructions, dams, and road construction is also a major hazard for the Himalayas. These activities can disrupt natural drainage patterns, increase the risk of landslides, and alter the fragile ecosystem of the region. In particular, the Uttarakhand disaster of 2013, which was triggered by unplanned construction and deforestation, highlighted the risks posed by such activities in the region.
Rapid population growth in the region is also creating new hazards for the Himalayas. As more and more people move into the region, there is increasing pressure on natural resources, leading to conflicts over water, food, and other basic needs. This is particularly true in areas where water sources are already scarce, leading to drying springs and water insecurity.
The Himalayas are also home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including endangered species such as the snow leopard and the Himalayan black bear. However, human-wildlife conflict is becoming increasingly common in the region as a result of habitat loss and other pressures. This conflict can lead to serious risks for both humans and animals, as well as damage to crops and other livelihoods.
Despite the many hazards facing the Himalayas, there are steps that can be taken to mitigate these risks and ensure the long-term sustainability of the region. For example, improved land-use planning and management can help to reduce the risks of landslides and other natural disasters. Similarly, efforts to conserve natural resources and protect wildlife habitats can help to reduce conflicts and promote greater ecological stability.
At the same time, it is important to recognize that the challenges facing the Himalayas are complex and multifaceted. Addressing these challenges will require a comprehensive approach that takes into account the diverse needs and perspectives of the region's many stakeholders. This means engaging with local communities, governments, NGOs, and other actors to develop strategies and solutions that are both effective and sustainable.
In conclusion, the hazards facing the Himalayas are numerous and significant, but they are not insurmountable. By working together to address these challenges, we can help to ensure the long-term sustainability of this remarkable natural wonder. Whether through improved land-use planning, wildlife conservation, or other measures, it is up to all of us to take action to protect the Himalayas and the people and animals who call it home.

Praful Rao,
Kalimpong district
Darjeeling- Sikkim Himalayas
savethehills@gmail.com
9475033744