Shrayan Sen
Authorities and local observers have urged travellers not to panic over reports of heavy rainfall and flooding in parts of North Bengal. While certain catchment areas witnessed extreme rainfall on the night of October 4, most tourist destinations and hill routes remain unaffected and open for travel.
Three river catchments saw extreme rain
According to local weather data, three major river basins — Balason, Jaldhaka, and Torsa — experienced intense rainfall on October 4 night.
In the Balason catchment, covering Darjeeling, Ghoom, and Sukhiapokhri, record rainfall led to a severe rise in river water levels and the collapse of the Doodhia bridge.
In the Jaldhaka catchment, areas such as Hila and Jiti received heavy rain, resulting in flooding in Jaldhaka and nearby zones.
In the Torsa catchment across Bhutan, the Bhutan Meteorological Department reported 285 mm of rainfall in Phuentsholing and 302 mm in Samste. The impact was felt downstream in India, where rising water levels caused flooding in parts of Madarihat and Jaldapara.
Other regions largely normal
Outside these three zones, rainfall was within normal monsoon limits. No unusual precipitation was recorded in most parts of North Bengal. The Teesta basin received only moderate rainfall.
NH10, which had been closed on Sunday morning due to a temporary rise in the Teesta, was reopened by nightfall as water levels subsided. On Monday morning, vehicle movement along NH10 was normal. Travellers reported reaching destinations like Ramdhura without difficulty.
The only significant road closure remains on the Siliguri–Mirik–Darjeeling route via Doodhia, where the bridge collapse has made the stretch temporarily inaccessible.
Tourist movement unaffected
All other major highways and tourist routes across North Bengal have been opened. Roads that were closed on Sunday morning were restored by the same night, ensuring smooth movement of traffic.
Interestingly, while Sikkim often bears the brunt during such weather events, this time the state remained mostly normal. Even on the day of the heavy rainfall, permits were issued for North Sikkim, and tourists continued their journeys as usual.
Localised flooding in Madarihat and Jaldapara
The only area still facing some difficulty is the Dooars region around Madarihat, where the Jaldapara National Park safari has been temporarily suspended due to flooding. Some riverbank resorts have stopped taking bookings as embankments were breached in certain spots. Cancellations have been issued for the next few days, pending full restoration.
Weather likely to improve soon
Beyond these pockets, weather conditions in North Bengal have improved considerably. There is no forecast of heavy rain in the coming days. Light rain may continue for three to four days before monsoon withdrawal begins.
Travel advisory
Travellers with upcoming trips to North Bengal are advised not to cancel their plans. Roads are open, transport is functioning normally, and the region is safe for tourism.
Visitors are reminded to travel responsibly: enjoy the hills respectfully, follow local rules, and maintain the serenity of the region. As one local observer aptly put it, “You come to the hills in search of peace — not for recklessness.”