7 hrs ago
Heavy rain damages Mirik causeway, disrupting heavy vehicle traffic
Heavy rain made the Balason river rise quickly near Mirik.
The fast-moving water washed away a temporary road crossing called a causeway.
This means large trucks cannot travel directly between Siliguri and Mirik.
A nearby Bailey bridge is still open for small vehicles and motorcycles.
Large vehicles must take a longer route through Sukhiapokhri, Ghoom and Kurseong.
Another temporary crossing over the Rangbhang river was also damaged.
A landslide cut off a road between Sirikhola and Rammam.
Officials say more rain and storms may continue across north Bengal and Sikkim.
Heavy rain washed away the Dudhia causeway over the Balason river early Friday.
The damage disrupted direct heavy-vehicle movement between Siliguri and Mirik.
A 58-metre Bailey bridge remains open to light vehicles and two-wheelers.
Heavy vehicles must use routes through Sukhiapokhri, Ghoom and Kurseong.
Landslides and road damage were also reported in Darjeeling district and south Sikkim.
- Who
- Residents and travelers between Mirik and Siliguri, along with state Public Works Department and local disaster-management officials, are affected.
- What
- Heavy rain washed away a causeway over the Balason river, restricting heavy-vehicle traffic and causing other infrastructure damage.
- Where
- The main damage occurred at Dudhia in Mirik subdivision, with additional incidents in Darjeeling district and south Sikkim.
- When
- The causeway was damaged early Friday morning; adverse weather was forecast to continue for at least 72 hours and through September 14.
- Why
- About 57mm of rain raised the Balason river and its strong current destroyed the causeway.
Key facts
- Rainfall in Mirik
- Around 57mm was recorded until early Friday morning.
- Bailey bridge
- The bridge is 58 metres long, 3.75 metres wide and has a nine-metric-ton load capacity.
- Heavy-vehicle route
- Heavy vehicles will be routed through Sukhiapokhri, Ghoom and Kurseong.
- Permanent bridge deadline
- The new Balason bridge is scheduled for completion by February 2027.
- Other damage
- A temporary causeway at Tabakoshi was damaged, and a landslide cut off the Sirikhola-Rammam road through Daragaon.
- Forecast
- The India Meteorological Department forecast thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of about 40km per hour across north Bengal, with light to moderate rain in Sikkim.
Quotes
India Meteorological Department official
An IMD official who provided the forecast for north Bengal and Sikkim.
“There is a prediction of thunderstorms with lightning along with gusty winds of around 40km per hour across the districts of north Bengal, while Sikkim will experience light to moderate rain. This weather condition will remain for at least the next 72 hours,”
telegraphindia.com
“It rained around 57mm in Mirik till early this morning, which raised the water level of the Balason. Because of the strong force of the water, the causeway was washed away,”
telegraphindia.com
State PWD source
A source in the state public works department who explained the bridge’s traffic restrictions.
“The Bailey bridge is open, and people from Mirik and the plains can move through it in light vehicles and two-wheelers. However, heavy vehicles, which used to move through the causeway, will have to take alternative routes to reach Mirik and the surrounding areas,”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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