Heavy rainfall lashed Kalimpong district on Saturday, October 4, leading to multiple landslides and traffic disruptions, ANI reported. Officials said while the downpour has now eased, debris and waterlogging have affected several parts of the region. Kalimpong Superintendent of Police Shrihari Pandey said several stretches along National Highway 10 (NH10) – the main route connecting Siliguri to Sikkim were blocked by landslides. Traffic along the highway remains suspended. “The alternative route, NH717A has also been hit by landslides near the Reshi border, disrupting connectivity to Sikkim,” he said.
Highway repair work underway
Teams from the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), in coordination with the district administration and police, have begun clearing debris from the affected stretches. Restoration work is being carried out on a priority basis to reopen both highways.
Authorities said that while water levels breached road surfaces at several low-lying points, including Ravijhora and 29th Mile, there were no reports of major damage to crops or property. Officials have assured that efforts are on to restore full connectivity at the earliest.
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No evacuation required, says administration
The administration said the situation is stable, and there is no need for public evacuation or temporary shelters at this stage. Disaster management teams and Civil Defence Volunteers remain deployed in vulnerable areas as a precautionary measure.
Detailed reports have been sought from all administrative blocks to monitor any further risks. “All necessary teams are on alert to handle emergencies if conditions worsen,” a district official said.
IMD issues heavy rain alert
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) attributed the heavy rainfall to a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal. It has forecast heavy to very heavy rain – between 7 cm and 20 cm, in isolated areas of West Bengal and Odisha until October 6.
Rainfall was also recorded across several districts, including Birbhum, where moderate to heavy showers began on Friday morning. The weather office said more rain is likely across north Bengal and adjoining regions in the next 24 hours.
