The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert for extremely heavy rainfall in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts on 31 October, as the remnant of Cyclone Montha continues to affect eastern India.
The weakened system is currently positioned near the East Uttar Pradesh–Bihar border and is moving north-eastwards toward Nepal, North Bengal and Sikkim. Moisture inflow from the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify the rainfall over the sub-Himalayan region of West Bengal.
Authorities note that the past several days have remained almost completely dry in these districts, resulting in lower river water levels. This has reduced the immediate threat of sudden flash floods, locally known as harpa ban.
However, caution remains necessary along riverbanks and embankments. Special vigilance has been advised at the sites where river embankments were damaged on 4 October during earlier flooding. In the hills of Darjeeling and Kalimpong, steep and landslide-prone slopes may once again face danger as rainfall increases and soil becomes unstable.
Disaster management teams have been put on alert, and residents in vulnerable areas have been urged to stay cautious and follow all official advisories. Monitoring of weather and river conditions will continue throughout the alert period.