Heavy rainfall on Monday triggered fresh landslides, blocking National Highway 10 near the 29-mile marker in Kalimpong, West Bengal. The closure has disrupted traffic between Kalimpong to Siliguri and Sikkim to Siliguri, causing significant inconvenience to commuters and affecting essential supplies to Sikkim.
The situation in northern Bengal remains critical, with ongoing heavy rains exacerbating the landslide risk. National Highway 10 has been particularly affected, bearing the brunt of the damage. The road has experienced frequent landslides over the past month, with a recent collapse of a section worsening the situation.
Due to the highway’s closure, traffic is being temporarily rerouted through Lava and Panbu. This measure aims to alleviate the immediate disruption, though it highlights the region’s vulnerability to natural calamities. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that heavy rains are likely to continue, urging residents to stay alert and cautious.