Particle.news

Red Alert in North Bengal Hills as Rains Shut Tourist Sites and Key Links

Officials report only minor incidents so far after downpours linked to Cyclone Montha.

Overview

  • The GTA closed all parks and adventure activities, and the Sukhiapokhri BDO banned trekking to Sandakphu, ordering tourists there to descend.
  • The temporary Hume Pipe Bridge at Dudhia over the Balason River was shut to traffic due to high water, just days after it reopened the MirikSiliguri link.
  • The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway halted its long-distance services, though the Darjeeling–Ghoom joy ride continued to run.
  • NH-10 was briefly cleared after a slide at 29th Mile, while the Geragenda Bridge approach on AH-48 collapsed and cracks appeared near the Sankosh bridge on NH-31C, restricting traffic to single lanes.
  • Disaster teams shifted residents to rescue shelters in vulnerable hills and evacuated parts of Alipurduar near the Shishamara River as a precaution under the IMD red alert.