Vast areas flooded in Jalpaiguri

Over 5,000 people are marooned in Jalpaiguri district where river Teesta is in spate following heavy rains, officials said on Wednesday.

Nearly 3,000 people were marooned in Chapadanga, Premganj, Dakhin Changari area as the swollen river breached the 100-metre embankment following release of 3,200 cusecs of water from Teesta barrage on Tuesday night.

The Nagrakata-Kherkata link was also snapped as the bridge was washed away and the administration making arrangement to shift the stranded people. Around 2,000 houses were submerged in the flood.

In Totopara hamlet, inhabited by an indigenous tribe, another 2,000 were marooned even as all communication links to Madarihat town was snapped.

Areas adjacent to Teesta in Jalpaiguri town including Sukanto Pally, Vivekananda Pally, Indira Colony were also flooded.

The floods have jeopardised the panchayat poll preparations in the district, scheduled to be held on July 25.

Met office sources said there could be heavy rains in next 24 hours in the area.