Darjeeling: Tourists planning to visit Darjeeling, Kalimpong and the Dooars over the next few days have been advised to closely monitor weather updates and travel advisories after the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Kolkata, issued a special weather bulletin forecasting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across North Bengal between Tuesday and Thursday. This is the peak tourist season in the Hills and the Dooars, and landslides, temporary road blockades and traffic diversions are common during periods of intense rain.
Rainfall has already intensified across North Bengal in the past 24 hours, with Lava recording 10 cm of rainfall, followed by Sankosh with 7 cm. Algarah and Amfu in Kalimpong recording 6 cm each, and Kalimpong town and Jhallong receiving 5 cm each. Newlands Tea Garden in Alipurduar recorded 3 cm of rainfall.
The weather system is being driven by a depression over south Jharkhand and north interior Odisha, coupled with strong moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal.
The notification reads, “Heavy to very heavy rainfall (7-20 cm) is very likely at a few places over the districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar from July 7 to 9.” It further states that extremely heavy rainfall (more than 20 cm) is likely at isolated places over Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar on July 8. North Dinajpur has also been placed under a heavy rainfall warning during the period.
Heavy rainfall is likely to persist over Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar till July 12. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30-40 kmph are also likely across all North Bengal districts during the period.
The notification also warns about a rise in water levels of the Teesta, Torsa, Jaldhaka and Raidak rivers.
The RMC has advised residents and tourists to avoid unnecessary travel during periods of intense rainfall, and to stay away from vulnerable hill slopes and water bodies.