Torrential rains flood Siliguri, disrupt life; over 4,000 people affected

Torrential rains on Sunday caused water logging in many parts of Siliguri in West Bengal, distressing the locals and throwing normal life out of gear. Siliguri has witnessed heavy rain since 20 July.[caption id="attachment_2804106" align="alignleft" width="380"] Representational image. AFP[/caption]According to The Telegraph, landslides took place in at least five places in the region over the last three days."The southwest monsoon is active over sub-Himalayan Bengal and Sikkim. That is why heavy to very heavy rain has occurred in some places. The axis of the monsoon trough at the mean sea level continues to run in the foothills of the Himalayas. There is forecast of more rainfall in the region in the next four-five days," The Telegraph quoted a source at the Regional Met Office in Jalpaiguri.Last month, PTI reported that routes of several trains in Siliguri were diverted after a pillar in the Sevoke Rail bridge showed cracks due to torrential rains which softened the earth at its base.Meanwhile, torrential rains have flooded low-lying areas in Mal sub-division and inundated a large part of Jalpaiguri town, as rivers Teesta and Karala were in spate, a district official told PTI. Over 4,000 people have been affected by the floods, according to the PTI report.With inputs from PTI