Torrential Rain Triggers Widespread Landslides Across North Bengal and Assam, Severely Disrupts Road and Rail Connectivity

In West Bengal, landslide-prone stretches of NH10—crucial for connecting Siliguri with Sikkim via Kalimpong—were severely affected. Locations such as Seti Jhora, Selfie Dara, Birik Dara, Likhuveer, Melli, and Bhalu Khola witnessed major landslides as rain loosened slopes along the corridor. Among them, the stretch near Likhuveer and 29th Mile emerged as the worst-hit, where continuous rockfalls have made the area highly unsafe. The National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has deployed heavy machinery at critical points to clear debris and partially restore traffic, although intermittent landslides continue to hinder full movement.

Traffic along the 52-km highway connecting Sevoke in Bengal to Rangpo in Sikkim has been severely restricted. District police authorities have confirmed that traffic is being regulated based on real-time ground reports. “Police personnel are posted at each landslide site. Debris is being cleared, but the threat of fresh landslides remains,” said a senior official in Kalimpong district. Meanwhile, officials of the NHIDCL confirmed that restoration efforts are ongoing at all blocked points.

Simultaneously, the Lumding-Badarpur railway section in Assam came to a standstill after a landslip between New Haflong and Jatinga Lampur disrupted train services in the Haflong region. According to the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), the landslide was triggered by road repair work undertaken by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which destabilized the slope shared between the road and the railway line. This caused a mass of land and boulders to shift directly onto the railway tracks, making conditions unsafe for train operations.

In a press release, NFR confirmed immediate suspension of train services across the Lumding-Badarpur hill section, a crucial lifeline for the states of Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, and the Barak Valley. “The downstream slope between the road and railway gave way, leading to structural instability,” said an NFR official. “We have mobilized manpower and equipment to clear debris, but passenger safety remains our top priority.” The division has formally written to the NHAI, urging urgent and effective slope protection work to prevent further rail infrastructure damage.

Adding to the severity of the situation, fresh landslides were reported from Sukhiapokhri block and Kurseong subdivision in Darjeeling district on Tuesday. Two houses were partially damaged in Dukpa Gaon and Raigaon due to minor landslides, with local authorities dispatching immediate relief materials to the affected families. In Kurseong, a temporary blockage on Pankhabari Road due to a minor landslide around noon was cleared within an hour by the state PWD, restoring traffic quickly.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported extremely heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours in sub-Himalayan Bengal. Rainfall data recorded during this period included 175 mm in Siliguri, 227 mm in Alipurduar, 114 mm in Cooch Behar, 100 mm in Mathabhanga, and 60 mm in Hasimara. The highest rainfall of 307 mm was recorded at Gajoldoba near the Teesta Barrage. “The southwest monsoon is active, and we expect heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours in districts such as Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, and in Namchi and Pakyong districts of Sikkim,” a weather expert stated.

The relentless downpour has also led to rising water levels in the Teesta river. The state irrigation department has issued a yellow (primary) alert for unembanked areas from Domohoni in Mainaguri block to Mekhliganj in Cooch Behar, near the Bangladesh border. “We are on high alert and are monitoring the river level closely. Evacuation to safer locations will be arranged if the water rises further,” said an administrative officer.

With forecasts indicating continued rainfall, authorities across Bengal, Sikkim, and Assam remain on edge. The situation calls for immediate slope stabilization, enhanced coordination between road and railway authorities, and preventive evacuation plans in vulnerable regions.