North Bengal landslides: Rescue operations gain pace as weather conditions improve
In north Bengal’s Terai and Dooars, relief teams are breathing a sigh of relief. Better weather has kicked in after a week of heavy rain, letting rescue crews push harder against the aftermath of landslides that killed at least 23 people so far.
#### Clear skies arrive after continuous rain
Late Sunday night, scattered showers hit different pockets of North Bengal. Early Monday brought light rain, but the clouds lifted and the sky cleared. A forecast from the Kolkata Regional Meteorological Centre added hope: while some districts might see isolated showers and thunderstorms, the chance of heavy rain drops sharply for the rest of the day—except for Alipurduar.
“Heavy rain is unlikely in most hill districts,” said a Meteorological Department official, noting that even as the rains pause, the swell in rivers like the Teesta, Torsa and Mahananda still threatens flooding.
#### Rescue operations speed up
With the rains stopping, teams in Darjeeling and Kalimpong have moved faster. The clear weather made it easier to drive into remote valleys that were previously cut off by landslides. Tourists who had been stranded in the hills began heading toward the plains early Monday. Since the main road through Siliguri is blocked, drivers are using two side roads: Tindharia Road and Pankhabari Road. Tindharia is closer to Siliguri, so it saw a heavier traffic flow.
#### Still uncertain death toll
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and district officials say 23 people have died, but the final figure may rise as search efforts continue. Roughly 261 millimetres of rain fell across the Darjeeling hills overnight, flooding rivers and washing away bridges, culverts and roads. Towns like Mirik and Sukhiya Pokhari were hardest hit, with many tourists stuck and no easy escape routes.
#### Political attention
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee plans to visit the affected areas later in the day. Her visit is expected to boost support for rescue and recovery and to signpost priority repairs.
The combined efforts of local authorities, rescue teams and the National Disaster Response Force aim to bring the region back to normal. Residents, tourists and travelers are encouraged to stay alert for further weather updates and follow official guidance.
Source: ianslive
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