Kalimpong: overnight rainfall damages at 2 out of 3 Blocks of Kalimpong

The incessant overnight downpour has proved to be a menace for the Kalimpong Sub Division. More than 20 hours of rain has resulted damages at 2 out of 3 Blocks of Kalimpong. The September rain has left Kalimpong damaged and reeling under danger. As of now this is the largest recorded adverse effects of the monsoons in the Kalimpong Block I and II. Approximately 200 ml rainfall has been recorded in the last 20 hours which normally is the 15 days rainfall accumulation for the month of September.Due to landslides at 5 points between Gail Khola and Kirney the NH 31A was at halt for almost 3 hours, today. As an aftermath of the heavy rain a house of Sabita Rai, located at 3rdMile remains hanging in the middle due to the mudslide. The under construction houses of Shyam Bahadur Khawas and Baburam Rai at 6th Mile has also been affected. The bridge connecting 5th Mile, Poshiyar and Kalimpong has been swept away further resulting in the connectivity cut off of the area. Likewise, houses at 7th Mile, Happy Valley have also been engulfed by the landslide. A house at Mangal Dara belonging to Mohan Sewa has been devastated after a wall of one of his neighbor’s houses fell on his house.

A major landslide at Mahakal Dara under the 34 No Homes Bhalukhop Constituency has cutoff the connection of the said area along with 8 other villages with the main town. A shop located at a village below Delo now reels under danger after the landslide which occurred during the night. Even the milk supply in the town is hampered as the village from where the milk is being supplied has lost connectivity. The school students and the villagers however, managed to reach their respective destinations today.The under construction paths of the MGNREGA has also been affected. The backside of the Leprosy Hospital which was already affected by the last year’s earthquake has ruined its more, further posing a threat to the residences of Bhalukhop Dantey Gaon which lies below it. The residents of the said area have been now shifted to a safer place. Similarly, 5 houses at Mc Donald Gaon, East Main Road under Kalimpong Municipality Ward No 22 and 4 houses at 23 No Ward has been affected. A house being affected by the landslide at Khadka Gaan, Sagsey has also been reported. Similar is the case of Algarah Block II.Further, there are chances of landslide at the Jhora at 15th Mile. The sinking of the road connecting Block II and III has posed threat to houses belonging to Nima Tshering Tamang and Purna Singh Lepcha. Both of the families have been shifted to safe places. Along with these two houses, 8 other houses are also now reeling under danger. However the roads were restored around 9a.m. after being cleared by the PWD along with the locals. The Gumpa Jhora at Upper Dalapchand has been destroyed. 1 house at West Payeun has been totally damaged while 11 houses remain partially damaged. The road from Nimbong to Bakhrakot under 42 No Nimbong Parbingtar Constituency is also facing landslides at various points.Reciprocating to this list of devastations, the GTA Sabhasads today visited their respective Constituencies and assured of all help possible. Sabhasad Nima Tamang after fixing necessary arrangements for clearing of Mahakal Dara declared a grant of Rs 2lakhs for constructing a proper drain in the area. Sabhasad, Sunil Pradhan informed that other areas namely, 14 No Ward, 16 No Ward, China Dara, Maney Dara, Bombusty etc. has also been majorly hampered. The Block Development Officer, Anandita Bhowmick and the PHE Departmental head, CP Poudyal also visited the affected areas today.

News by Mukesh Sharma