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| Photo Courtesy & source- Puskar Gurung , Gairibas Times |
KalimNews with inputs from Agencies | August 13, 2025 | Siliguri : A series of devastating weather-related incidents across North Bengal over the past 48 hours have left a trail of destruction, grief, and chaos. From the tragic loss of two young siblings in Siliguri to the collapse of a newly-built highway bridge and mass displacement in flood-prone areas, relentless monsoon rains have brought life to a standstill in several regions.
In the village of Paghalupara in Sahudangi near Siliguri, a heart-wrenching tragedy unfolded late Tuesday night, August 12, when the boundary wall of a neighbour’s house collapsed onto a nearby tin-roofed residence during a spell of heavy rain. The wall caved in around 11 PM, crushing three-year-old Madhumita Mahanta and her one-and-a-half-year-old brother Debayan Mahanta, who were sleeping inside.
According to neighbours, the children’s parents, Parimal and Rinki Mahanta, had briefly stepped out to clear rainwater that had flooded another room. It was during this time that the weakened boundary wall—already in a dilapidated condition—gave way under the weight of accumulated rainwater and collapsed directly onto the children’s room. The siblings were quickly pulled from the rubble and rushed to Siliguri District Hospital, where doctors declared them brought dead.
The grief-stricken family declined a post-mortem, and the children’s last rites were performed the same night. Local residents and relatives have alleged that the wall had been in a dangerous state for a long time, and the recent heavy rains only accelerated its collapse by weakening the soil beneath.
On Wednesday, August 13, Rajganj MLA Khageswar Roy visited the bereaved family. Expressing his condolences, he assured the family of government assistance and added that they were already on the list for a home under the “Housing for All” project. “We will try our best to support them during this difficult time,” Roy said.
Tragedy continued to strike elsewhere in the region. In the Chandmuni Tea Garden area, a 57-year-old man named Darshai Oraon was reportedly swept away by the swollen Panchanoi River on Wednesday. According to sources, Oraon slipped and fell into the river amid rising water levels. Rescue operations by disaster management teams have been underway, but as of the time of reporting, no trace of the man had been found.
Adding to the mounting crisis, a major infrastructure failure has further disrupted life in North Bengal. A newly-constructed bridge on National Highway 717A—located near Gairibas Mayalu Golai en route to the Jaldhaka Hydel Project in Kalimpong district—collapsed early Wednesday morning.
The bridge was part of an ongoing road development initiative under Project Swastik, spearheaded by the Border Roads Organization (BRO). The project aims to enhance connectivity between Chalsa and Sikkim via Chapramari and Jholung. The NH 717A corridor is envisioned to serve as a crucial arterial link between Siliguri and Gangtok, facilitating both civilian and strategic movement.
The ill-fated bridge had only recently been opened to vehicular traffic following the completion of the adjoining roadway, despite the overall construction project still being incomplete. Weeks of relentless rainfall and recurring landslides in the area had already weakened several sections of NH 717A and NH 10—both vital routes for transport between Siliguri and the Sikkim hills.
Landslides, road cave-ins, and submergence under the Teesta River have halted a critical transport artery, severely disrupting the movement of tourists and the delivery of emergency supplies. Simultaneously, the last functional stretch of NH 10 at 29th Mile—already restricted to light vehicles—has been completely washed away, leaving no operational road link through the region.
While the collapsed bridge was built under BRO’s jurisdiction, the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL)—responsible for other segments of the NH 10 and NH 717A—has come under sharp scrutiny for the quality and durability of the broader infrastructure. In response to worsening road conditions and ongoing weather threats, NHIDCL has announced a temporary suspension of heavy vehicle movement through NH 10 between August 12 and 15.
With the bridge collapse and road failures coinciding with the run-up to Independence Day celebrations, administrative authorities in Kalimpong and adjoining districts are scrambling to put contingency measures in place. Traffic rerouting, emergency coordination, and logistical support are being fast-tracked as access remains compromised across key zones.
Meanwhile, the crisis has deepened in Malda’s low-lying Bhutni Diara region, where more than 1.5 lakh residents across three gram panchayats are facing immediate displacement due to rising river levels and collapsing embankments. The worsening flood situation has prompted urgent intervention from district officials. Malda District Magistrate Nitin Singhania has rushed to the affected area, placing NDRF, civil defence, and local teams on high alert. Public announcements and evacuation protocols are underway to relocate vulnerable populations to safer areas.
The ongoing monsoon has triggered widespread structural failures, isolation of regions, and mass displacement across North Bengal—leaving authorities and rescue teams racing against time to contain the escalating crisis.
Malda District Magistrate Nitin Singhania has rushed to the affected zones, placing National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), civil defence, and local teams on high alert. Public announcements are ongoing to move residents to safer areas. The embankment meant to protect Bhutni Diara—constructed at a cost of ₹135 crore—has failed less than a year after a similar breach by the Ganga. The sudden breach has raised alarm among locals and political leaders alike.
Trinamool Congress MLA Sabitri Mitra termed the collapse “unexpected” and alleged sabotage, accusing opposition CPI(M) and MP leaders of deliberately removing sandbags to engineer the breach for political mileage. The accused parties have vehemently denied the charge.
With persistent rainfall, surging rivers, failing infrastructure, and mounting casualties, North Bengal remains on high alert. Authorities are urging residents in vulnerable zones to remain vigilant and cooperate with evacuation and rescue efforts as the region braces for further challenges posed by nature’s fury.
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