Amitava Banerjee, MP, 19 June 2025: Incessant rainfall that damaged National Highway (NH) 10, the lifeline of Sikkim, has led to the road being damaged in two places in the Kalimpong district stretch. Rockfall has also been reported.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued heavy rainfall warnings in the North Bengal districts. The National Highway 10 connects the plains of Siliguri in the Darjeeling district to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. The highway also passes through Kalimpong district.
“The road has been damaged at Melli and Kirney, hence heavy vehicles will be restricted. Rock and debris are falling near Likhubhir.
Travelers are urged to use alternate routes,” stated Shrihari Pandey, Superintendent of Police, Kalimpong.
Later during the day, rockfall was also reported at Birikdanra on the Teesta to Sevoke stretch. Rockfall was also reported from Mamkhola near Melli.
Heavy rains resulted in a massive, old banyan tree being uprooted at Hashmi Chowk in Siliguri at around 2 am on Thursday, damaging a Hanuman temple. The fallen tree completely blocked the road connecting Hashmi Chowk to Sevoke More. Workers from the Siliguri Municipal Corporation removed the tree along with other debris, opening up the road.
The IMD in a weather bulletin stated: “The well-marked low-pressure area over Gangetic West Bengal & neighbourhood moved slowly northwestward and lay over northeast Jharkhand at 0830 hrs IST of today, the 19th June 2025. The associated upper air cyclonic circulation extends up to 7.6 km above mean sea level, tilting southwards with height. It is likely to move slowly northwestwards during the next 24 hours. In view of the above system, light to moderate rainfall at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely in some districts of West Bengal during the next 24 hours.”
Rainfall recorded in the last 24 hours (recorded at 8:30 am on Thursday):
Darjeeling: 62.2 mm, Sevoke: 44.8 mm, Siliguri: 9.9 mm and Kalimpong: 104.6 mm
Courtesy & source: Millennium Post
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/incessant-rain-triggers-rock-slides-on-nh-10-many-stretches-damaged-615588
YOWAN MOTHAY, SANJAY AGARWAL, EOI, Kalimpong / Rangpo, June 19, 2925 : With the onset of the monsoon, traffic disruptions have already begun to plague National Highway-10 (NH-10), the lifeline connecting Siliguri, Kalimpong, and Sikkim. Continuous rainfall since Wednesday has severely damaged key stretches of the highway, particularly near Melli and Kirney.
In another affected area, Likhubhir, boulders falling from above have forced the complete shutdown of the road. The downpour has led to erosion of the road surface, minor landslides, and weakening of the roadside embankments.
Kalimpong District Superintendent of Police Shrihari Pandey on Thursday confirmed the disruptions and warned of serious traffic issues in the days ahead. According to him, the sudden escalation in rainfall during the early hours of the morning triggered landslides and caused significant damage to the highway, making it impassable in several places.
Due to the blockage, long traffic jams formed along the highway. Tourists and daily commuters faced immense difficulty, with many stranded for hours without alternative routes. The affected areas have become increasingly hazardous, and authorities are urging travelers to stay updated and avoid unnecessary travel.
NH-10 plays a critical role in the Sikkim and Darjeeling Himalayas, serving as the main route for transporting essential commodities such as food, fuel, medicine, and construction materials into both Sikkim and Kalimpong. With portions of the highway washed out or covered by landslide debris, a major disruption to supply chains is now looming. Local authorities and emergency services have advised residents and daily commuters to use alternative routes where available. Because of the hilly terrain and limited road network, these options remain few and often risky during the monsoon season.
This latest incident has reignited calls from the local population and civic experts for a long-term solution. They are pressing for immediate implementation of landslide mitigation projects, as well as investment in early-warning systems and the development of safer, alternate roadways. The frequent landslides along NH-10 during the monsoon underscore the urgent need for better disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure in this sensitive region.
Courtesy & source: Echo of India
http://echoofindia.com/ePaper/index.aspx?page=VEVPSQ==
