Dudhia, 19th June: Continuous heavy rainfall in the hills has caused the Balason River to swell once again, leading to the submergence of the temporary hume pipe bridge at Dudhia. The incident has completely disrupted road connectivity between Siliguri and Mirik along State Highway 12.
The temporary bridge, which served as a crucial transport link for residents of the hill region, was overwhelmed by the strong current and rapidly rising water level of the river following persistent rainfall since Thursday night. As a result, vehicular movement between Siliguri and Mirik has come to a halt.
According to administrative sources, the river’s water level rose sharply overnight, and the powerful flow submerged the bridge, cutting off the important route.
Meanwhile, the local administration has begun efforts to relocate residents living along the banks of the Balason River to safer locations. Officials expressed concern over the increasing flood risk, as the absence of embankments in several areas has allowed river water to gradually advance towards nearby villages.
The situation is being closely monitored by the authorities. The Kurseong Block Development Officer (BDO) and local administration are actively engaged in relief preparedness and surveillance operations. Residents have been urged to remain alert and avoid venturing near the river until conditions improve.