Landslide in Darjeeling town (25Aug2011)

What is worth noting is that we have not have continuous heavy showers in this region in Aug2011 and as such we have had virtually no major landslides during this month in Darjeeling district. 
Also, it was extremely fortunate that the above landslide took place sometime past midnight this morning and as such we had no casualties in an area (located  below the famous, heritage Windamere Hotel)  which is otherwise thronging with tourists and pedestrians all thru the day.

Rainfall in Darjeeling on 24Aug2011: 129mm
Rainfall in Kalimpong on 24Aug2011 : 6mm
Rainfall in Gangtok on 24Aug2011 : 7mm

Photo Credit : Mr Mohan Lama, Darjeeling

Praful Rao

July2010 rainfall analysis

After 2 months (May/Jun2010) of deficient rainfall, we have made up in July2010.
Kurseong again leads with excessive rainfall, Darjeeling also has clocked approx 190mm above the normal rainfall, Kalimpong on the other hand has received more or less the normal rainfall.
The number of rainy days increased in all three towns and as such rainfall was evenly distributed throughout the month.
We have received a report of only one major landslide in Kurseong subdivision (even though we are aware that there are many places which are extremely dangerous and vulnerable with people even being evacuated).

 I am glad to state that there has been no reported deaths caused by landslides in July2010.
SO FAR, SO GOOD  but we still have 2 months of rains ahead...

Praful Rao

Jun2010 rainfall analysis.

For the second consecutive monsoon month (ie May and June 2010) we have received deficient rainfall in the district - even though with the deficiency has reduced from 43% (see here) to 25% thanks to the rainfall towards the month end.
What is evident, is that in all the three towns we have received no rain (or had only a trace) for roughly half the month (ie17days) and the trend is to have sharp peaks of high intensity rainfall - which is bad news for us because it is just this sort of extreme event which triggers off landslides.
The month's rainfall data from 3ARGs at Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong is placed below:-