Torrential monsoonal rainfall in some parts of western Dooars in Jalpaiguri district and in adjoining Bhutan hills since Sunday night led to flash floods that caused damage in different areas.
Water levels of rivers and streams increased in Jalpaiguri's Banarhat, Nagrakata and Malbazar blocks. These flooded residential and commercial areas in Banarhat, damaged roads, bridges and buildings, and forced around 5,000 families shift to safer places.
The downpour caused two rain cuts near the rail tracks near Diana river bridge, and a cave-in near Banarhat station, prompting the railway authorities to halt train movement for around 12 hours along the Dooars (Siliguri Junction-Alipurduar Junction) route.
Officials of Northeast Frontier Railway stopped the movement of trains around 12.40am. Workers carried out repairs since morning. Around noon, train movement resumed along the route.
Jalpaiguri DM inspects a locality in Jalpaiguri on Monday Biplab Basak
According to sources in the regional Met office in Calcutta, in 24 hours till 8.30am on Monday, Diana saw 320mm rain, followed by Jhalong (300mm), Banarhat (270mm), Neora (250mm), Malbazar (220mm) and Nagrakata (190mm).
“There is a forecast of more rainfall during the next two to three days,” said a weather expert.
In Banarhat, Hatinala, a stream that flows through the area, started swelling on Sunday night. The stream spilled over its banks, flooding hundreds of houses, shops, and godowns in localities like Kshudirampally, Mahabirbusty, Banarhat I and II colonies, the local market and the block hospital.
It also flooded SM Colony and Netajipara of adjoining Binnaguri. The rainfall also flooded the Banarhat-Chamurchi road that connects Bhutan and NH31.
“As water started entering the localities, we shifted people to different schools and other places. The affected families have been provided with food and other relief,” said Kutti Nandi, the deputy head of Banarhat-I panchayat.
The flood damaged various items stored in godowns and shops. Subir Das, secretary of the Banarhat Byabsayee Samiti, said they have suffered losses to the tune of around Rs 4 crore.
“At least 200 local traders have faced losses in the sudden flood. Water entered their storage areas and shops,” said Das.
The intense rainfall also flooded a number of tea estates in the area. Sanjoy Bagchi, secretary of the Dooars branch of the Indian Tea Association, said they received reports of such inundation from gardens such as Lakhipara, Rheabari, Moraghat, Palashbari, Totapara, Mogolkata and Chamurchi.
Many affected residents in Banarhat said they had to leave for safer places with essential belongings, as water flooded their homes and damaged furniture and electronic gadgets.
Later in the day, Moumita Godara Basu, the district magistrate of Jalpaiguri, visited the affected areas to take stock of the situation.
“Water levels have started receding in Hatinala. The irrigation department has been asked to keep a watch over the situation. The block administration is helping people. The assessment of loss is yet to be done,” she said.
Like Banarhat, nearby Nagrakata block also witnessed a flood-like situation on Sunday night. Rainfall also increased the water level of the local stream, Sukhani, that started flowing over a bridge linking Manmohandhura with Nagrakata.
In Malbazar block, local stream Sukhajhora washed away a culvert that connects a part of the Nidam tea garden with Malbazar, and a hutment, said locals. Parts of the tea garden were flooded.
