Category Archives: Regional

Monsoon reaches northern West Bengal six days ahead of schedule: Met Department

The weather office forecast widespread rain in the sub-Himalayan districts of Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Kalimpong and Darjeeling, with the possibility of heavy downpours in one or two places, over the next five days


PTI, Calcutta, 31.05.24 : Calcutta recorded 65 mm rainfall, bringing night temperature down to 23.7 degree Celsius from nearly 30 degrees a day earlier.:File picture.

The southwest monsoon reached sub-Himalayan West Bengal on Friday, covering most parts of the region, nearly a week ahead of schedule, the Met Department said.

The southwest monsoon normally reaches northern West Bengal on June 5 and the southern part of the state around June 9.

The faster movement of the southwest monsoon into the region could have been caused by the combined effect of cyclone Remal, bringing the southwesterly wind to the coasts from the Bay of Bengal, and thereafter the monsoon’s movement was attracted by a trough existing over northern West Bengal, weather officials said.

The weather office forecast widespread rain in the sub-Himalayan districts of Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Kalimpong and Darjeeling, with the possibility of heavy downpours in one or two places, over the next five days.

The places that recorded significant rainfall in 24 hours till 8.30 am on Friday in northern Bengal are Alipurduar (45 mm), Jalpaiguri (43 mm) and Coochbehar (28 mm), it said.

The Met Department also forecast thunderstorms with lightning and gusty wind in the southern Bengal districts, including Calcutta, during the next three days.

Calcutta recorded 65 mm rainfall, bringing night temperature down to 23.7 degree Celsius from nearly 30 degrees a day earlier, the Met said. 

Teesta rehabilitation work going on in full swing: Anit Thapa

Amitava Banerjee, MP, 31 May 2024, Darjeeling: Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Chief Anit Thapa, on a round of Teesta on Friday, remarked that relief and rehabilitation work was going on in full swing and the process for compensation from the NHPC to the Teesta flash flood victims was near completion. 

He also said 65 per cent work on the construction of embankment dams was completed. Regarding frequent inundation, Thapa said: “Unless the Union government gives permission for desiltation, nothing much can be done.” 
Incidentally a Glacial Lake outburst had triggered flash floods in River Teesta on October 4, 2023 causing widespread damage downstream in Sikkim along with Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri district in Bengal. An NHPC dam at Chungthang in North Sikkim, was also washed away by the Teesta. More than 300 houses were damaged along the river in the Kalimpong district. 
Answering questions from mediapersons, Thapa stated: “Rehabilitation work is on. Every disaster victim received the stipulated amount of Rs 75,000 as per state government rules. However, GTA has started an initiative to build houses for the homeless. The government will hand over the land and house construction will begin.”
He further stated that some families had requested compensation from NHPC. “Accordingly, a committee was constituted to look into the compensation. A survey was conducted under the supervision of the committee. Documents have been prepared after assessment. The process had reached the final stage. 
Soon the victims will receive compensation from the NHPC,” assured Thapa. 
When questioned about the surge in the water level of the Teesta with rains causing inundation of the roads, Thapa stated: “The permanent solution is desiltation. The flash floods have brought in huge amounts of silt and raised the river bed. 
Unless sand and silt is taken out, the matter cannot be resolved. This needs special permission from the Union government,” stated Thapa. The Union government has enforced a ban on quarrying on the Teesta and other mountain rivers. 
“I’m not talking of quarrying but sand and silt have to be removed. It is the demand of the local residents also. It cannot be done now. After monsoons we will ask the district administration and state government to take up the matter with the Union government,” added Thapa. Courtesy & source- MilleniumPost
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/moderate-to-heavy-rain-likely-in-north-bengal-in-next-5-days-566149?infinitescroll=1

‘Moderate to heavy rain likely in North Bengal in next 5 days’

MP, 1 June 2024, Kolkata: Overnight rainfall occurred in several parts of South Bengal. Moderate to heavy rainfall may occur in several North Bengal districts in the next 5 days. Orange alert has been issued for some of the North Bengal districts, including Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar and Alipurduar. 

Several districts in South Bengal received pre-monsoon rainfall late on Thursday night, dropping the temperature by 6 degree Celsius. The lowest temperature on Friday was registered at 23.7 degree Celsius while a day before it stood at 30 degrees. The Regional Meteorological Centre in Alipore said that monsoon may enter North Bengal on Sunday, five days ahead of its usual time of arrival. 
As per prediction, the monsoon will bring rainfall in the region. Incidentally, southwest monsoon set in over Kerala on Thursday. Generally, the monsoon enters Kerala on June 5. The MeT office said that South Bengal districts will also receive rainfall over the weekend. 
A strong breeze may be sweeping through in the region on Sunday. The MeT office already predicted heavy rainfall in several North Bengal districts in the next 24 hours. Orange alert has been issued for the districts like Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, Alipurduar as they are expected to receive heavy rainfall. 
It will rain in North Dinajpur and South Dinajpur as well. Monsoon generally enters Jalpaiguri on June 7, Siliguri on June 8, South Bengal on June 10 and Kolkata on June 11. It is not however clear as to when the monsoon will hit the city. 
There may be some scattered rainfall in some of the South Bengal districts during the weekend, the MeT office said. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/crew-management-system-replaces-register-entry-of-guards-566148?infinitescroll=1

Trekker death prompts Gorkhaland Territorial Administration to draw new plans for safety

Mandatory halt for acclimatisation, setting up a health post and a compulsory fitness certificate from a doctor are among few new rules
A snow-covered road at Sandakphu in March this year

Bireswar Banerjee, TT, Siliguri, 31.05.24 : The recent death of a 29-year-old youth from North Dinajpur from suspected high altitude sickness while he was on way to Sandakphu has prompted the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) to draw up new plans for the safety of trekkers to Bengal’s highest point located at 12,000 feet above sea level.

Among these include mandatory halt for acclimatisation, setting up a health post and a compulsory fitness certificate from a doctor.
Dawa Gyalpo Sherpa, the chief coordinator of adventure tourism in the GTA, said during the peak season, around 500 tourists and trekkers visit Sandakphu every day.

They reach the location by covering a 35-kilometre-long steep hilly mountain road by foot or hiring Land Rovers from Manebhanjan.

“We will request tourists and trekkers to halt at Tumling or Meghma for at least a day to acclimatise with the weather to avoid high altitude sickness. Before boarding a vehicle or starting a trek, they will have to furnish a fitness certificate issued by a doctor to our representatives,” said Sherpa. He said that they had already submitted their proposals to the principal secretary of the GTA so that necessary orders were issued in this regard.

As of now, two health workers of GTA, who are trained to provide first aid and can handle oxygen cylinders, are posted at Manebhanjan and Sandakphu. The nearest health centre is at Sukhiapokhri, 45km away.

In case of any medical emergency, trekkers, homestay owners and other members of the local population are wholly dependent on this health centre.

Arun Sigchi, the executive member of health and family welfare department of the GTA, said considering the inflow of tourists in Sandakphu, they have decided to open a health post at the site.

Once the proposal gets final nod at the meeting of GTA’s executive body meeting, the post would be opened, he said.

“There will be basic amenities like oxygen cylinders and first-aid equipment, along with medicines which are essential for such a high-altitude area to address respiratory and cardiac problems. We can’t afford to keep a doctor on a permanent basis at the spot, but arrangements will be made so that doctors keep on visiting the health post,” said Sigchi.

Also, an ambulance would be kept at Sandakphu to carry patients in case of emergency, he added.

On May 26, Tanmoy Kundu, who was from Kaliaganj of North Dinajpur, had been to Tumling, a hamlet on the way to Sandakphu, with five other friends. He fell sick and on the next day, his friends made arrangements to shift him to the block health centre at Sukhiapokhri, which is around 45 kilometres away.

Tanmoy lost his senses during the trip and on reaching the hospital, doctors pronounced him dead. Later, a post-mortem was conducted and his body was taken to his home town for the last rites.

Higher Secondary Edu Council uploads textual components of language papers on website

SOUMITRA NANDI, MP, 31 May 2024, Kolkata: The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) has uploaded the textual components of all the language papers on its website for the benefit of students, teachers and the general academic community. The decision comes in the wake of slim chances of availability of the printed version of the books before the third week of June. The schools will reopen after summer vacation on June 3 and classes will commence from June 10. “The language textbooks are not yet available and there are considerable changes in the curriculum in the backdrop of the introduction of a semester system for Class XI for the academic year 2024-25 and for Class XII for the academic year 2025-26. Hence, we have uploaded the textual components of all the language papers on our website. The teachers, students can start their classes based on the uploaded document for the time being,” said Chiranjib Bhattacharjee, president of WBCHSE. The state government has taken the responsibility of printing all the textbooks of language subjects which will be distributed to the students free-of-cost across Bengal. The Education department has taken all necessary measures to expedite the delivery of hard copies of the textbooks to all the students of different schools affiliated under WBCHSE at the earliest. There are six languages, including English and Bengali, that are taught at the higher secondary level. There is a first paper and a second paper for all the language subjects except Urdu and Santhali. The process of bringing out books is a time taking process as it goes through various channels of the department before finally getting printed. The textbooks of 52 other subjects have hit the markets. Some of the schools have started online classes in the backdrop of the introduction of the semester system in which the first semester examination will be held in September. However, they have been facing problems due to the non-availability of books. The WBCHSE has revised the curriculum of all the subjects after 11 years and the language papers particularly were thoroughly revised and curriculum of all subjects were bifurcated in four semesters.

https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/higher-secondary-edu-council-uploads-textual-components-of-language-papers-on-website-565997

People stand in long queues in Siliguri for packaged water

Sanchita Aich Bag, MP, 30 May 2024, Siliguri: Thursday saw panic in Siliguri over drinking water with prohibitory orders not to use the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC)-supplied water for drinking purposes owing to contamination. 

Uncertainty ruled as packaged water disappeared from the stores and water packaging plants and municipal supply was short of the assured amount. Long queues were seen in front of shops selling packaged drinking water. 
Meanwhile, SMC also sent water tankers to different wards in rotation. There were long queues there as well. Councillors started distributing water pouches but many reported that they received fewer water pouches than the stipulated amount. 
Tapan Mandal, a resident of Ward 12, said: “We are in trouble. We have to stand in line to get drinking water since morning. The administration should resolve the issue at the earliest.” 
Ratna Mallick from College Para said: “The SMC should have tested the water before supplying it to people. We have already consumed water from the Mahananda River for a few days. 
Now suddenly, the Mayor has instructed us to stop drinking the water.” “This is due to a natural calamity. We had no option but to stop people from drinking the water. Deputy Mayor, member of the council of the Water Supply department and I have been visiting boroughs and are making all the necessary arrangements so that people do not have to suffer,” stated Gautam Deb, Mayor. 
On Wednesday, the Mayor had appealed to the public not to drink the water supplied by SMC till June 2 as the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) in the water of Mahananda River had increased and could cause illness. 
The ongoing work on the Teesta Dam at Gajoldoba would be complete and safe water from Teesta would be supplied from June 2 evening, he had assured. Also Read – Teenager ‘assaulted to death inside ashram’ 
As many as 52 water tanks were supposed to be sent to the wards, but they have been sending 26 water tanks in rotation to each ward. “PHE has been providing us with water tanks and pouches. It is taking some time but they will give us 1 lakh pouches daily,” Deb added. Packaged water up to 5 liters is available in different shops. 
However, there is a scarcity of bottles larger than 5 liters. Water packaging plants have not been able to supply 20-liter jars owing to water shortage. 
Sachin Chettri, a water supplier from Darjeeling More, said: “We are supplying to our regular customers first. We are trying to give the excess we have to others. We cannot get much underground water.” 
CPI(M) Darjeeling district committee staged a protest and gheraoed the Mayor in front of the SMC office on Thursday. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/people-stand-in-long-queues-in-siliguri-for-packaged-water-565981

Gun & bullets stolen from bank in SBI Bairampur

MP, 30 May 2024, Cooch Behar: A security guard’s gun and bullets were stolen from the Balrampur branch of the State Bank under the Tufanganj Police Station in Cooch Behar district. 

According to police and bank sources, the thieves entered the bank building after breaking the ventilation during the early hours of Thursday. 
A mobile phone, security guard’s gun and ammunition were stolen from inside the bank. However, according to police sources, nothing was tampered with inside the bank cupboard. It is not yet known whether money disappeared from the bank. 
Although the bank authorities have not made any statements about this matter, Cooch Behar District Superintendent of Police Dyutiman Bhattacharya said: “According to the CCTV footage, a young man entered the bank around 3:30 am today. 
A mobile phone, currently switched off, as well as the security guard’s gun and bullets, are missing. CCTV footage has been collected from various locations.” 
Courtesy & source- Millennium Post
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/gun-bullets-stolen-from-bank-565978

Prof arrested in research scholar suicide case

MP, 30 May 2024, Siliguri: The Special Operation Group (SOG) of Siliguri Metropolitan arrested the prime accused, Siddharth Shankar Laha, Head of the Department of Lifelong Learning and Extension of the University of North Bengal (NBU), in the suicide case of a research scholar of the university from Assam.

He was brought to Siliguri on Wednesday and was produced at Siliguri Court on Thursday. On May 16, the body of a research scholar of the Rural Development department of NBU was found hanging at a rented house in Shiv Mandir area. 
The deceased was a resident of Tufanganj, Cooch Behar and was staying in the rented house in Shiv Mandir area Also Read – ‘No one can stop change of power in Delhi on June 4’ in Siliguri. 
A suicide note was found in the house where it was mentioned that the accused Siddharth Shankar Laha, had a physical relationship with the deceased and refused to marry her. Therefore, she committed suicide. 
Her mobile phone and laptop were also missing from the room.On May 18, family members of the deceased lodged a written complaint. SOG began a search for the accused as he went absconding after the incident and tracked his mobile phone. 
First, he went to Kalimpong, then Lataguri, then Cooch Behar. 
A few days ago, he went to Goyalpara in Assam from where he was arrested. He was booked under various sections of the IPC. He has been taken into police remand for further investigation. 
Courtesy & source- Millennium Post
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/prof-arrested-in-research-scholar-suicide-case-565976

Siliguri: 4 arrested in teenager’s suicide case

Courtesy: Siliguri Times 

MP, 30 May 2024, Siliguri: 4 arrested in teenager’s suicide case BY MPost30 May 2024 11:13 PM MPost30 May 2024 11:13 PM Siliguri: The Pradhan Nagar Police arrested four people in connection with the suicide of Bappa Barman, a teenager from Devidanga in Siliguri. 

The arrested include the minor lover of the deceased, her mother, father and elder sister. The girl’s father is a member of a Panchayat Samiti. As the girl is a minor, she was produced at juvenile court. 
The rest were produced at Siliguri Court on Thursday. On Wednesday, chaos erupted over the suicide of a 17-year-old teenager in Devidanga area. 
Furious people pelted stones at the police and vandalised police vehicles. The youth was found hanging inside his room on Wednesday morning. According to reports, the deceased had a relationship with a girl. 
Allegedly, the girl and her family member had assaulted the deceased on Tuesday humiliated over which he committed suicide. 
They have been booked under sections 305 (Abetment of Suicide), 34 (Criminal Act done by several person), 323 (Punishment of voluntarily causes hurt), Indian Penal Code (IPC).

https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/siliguri-4-arrested-in-teenagers-suicide-case-565975

https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/siliguri-4-arrested-in-teenagers-suicide-case-565975

Monsoon likely to enter North Bengal in 2-3 days, says IMD

MP, 31 May 2024, Kolkata: The Regional Meteorological Centre in Alipore said that monsoon may enter North Bengal in 2-3 days, five days ahead of its usual time of arrival. As per prediction, the monsoon is expected to enter North Bengal on Sunday as it will bring rainfall in the region. 

Incidentally, southwest monsoon set in over Kerala on Thursday. Generally, the monsoon enters Kerala on June 5. The MeT office already predicted heavy rainfall in several North Bengal districts in the next 24 hours. 
Orange alert has been issued for the districts like Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, Alipurduar as they are expected to receive heavy rainfall. 
It will also rain in North Dinajpur and South Dinajpur as well. According to the MeT office, monsoon generally enters Jalpaiguri on June 7, Siliguri on June 8, South Bengal on June 10 and Kolkata on June 11. It is not however clear as to when the monsoon will hit the city. 
There may be some scattered rainfall in some of the South Bengal districts during the weekend, the MeT office said. 
Spurred by Cyclone Remal, the southwest monsoon set in over the Kerala coast and parts of the northeast on Thursday. Weather scientists said the cyclone, which ripped through Bengal and Bangladesh on Sunday, had pulled the monsoonal flow to the Bay of Bengal, which could be one of the reasons for early onset over the northeast. 
“Southwest monsoon has set in over Kerala and advanced into most parts of northeast India today, the 30th May, 2024,” the India Meteorological Department said. 
The normal monsoon onset date for Kerala is June 1 and for Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur and Assam is June 5. 
According to weather scientists, El Nino conditions are prevailing at present, and La Nina may set in by August-September. El Nino — the periodic warming of surface waters in the central Pacific Ocean — is associated with weaker monsoon winds and drier conditions in India. La Nina – the antithesis of El Nino- leads to plentiful rainfall during the monsoon season. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/monsoon-likely-to-enter-north-bengal-in-2-3-days-says-imd-566003

Indefinite cease work by conservancy staff of Darjeeling Municipality lifted

Amitava Banerjee, MP, 30 May 2024, Darjeeling: Amid the tourist rush, Darjeeling woke up to garbage spill over on Thursday as the conservancy staff of the Darjeeling Municipality called for an indefinite cease work over the alleged assault on a staff by a vegetable vendor. 
However, normalcy returned in the evening following the arrest of the accused. The town wore a filthy look on Thursday morning, with garbage strewn on the roads and the vats overflowing. Even the Mall wore a dirty look. 
“We were collecting garbage from the shops at the Chowk Bazar on Wednesday evening. Despite nearly more than an hour having passed since we had been collecting garbage, I noticed a vegetable vendor not emptying his garbage bin in the conservancy vehicle,” stated Milan Sarki, driver of the vehicle. 
Sarki then approached Narayan Prasad Gupta, the vegetable vendor, asking him to empty his garbage bin. Gupta stated that he would do so in the evening in the vat. 
“I told him that he should not empty it in the vat but in the vehicle. I told him that if he didn’t want to, he should keep the bin inside his shop and not on the road causing public inconvenience. I then placed his garbage bin inside his shop and he started assaulting me and even tore my shirt,” alleged Sarki. 
Following this, the conservancy staff lodged an FIR against Gupta at the Darjeeling Sadar Police Station and allied for an indefinite cease work till the accused was punished. 
“As per the FIR, Narayan Prasad Gupta has been arrested,” stated Shubhra Sanyal, Inspector-in-Charge, Darjeeling Sadar Police Station. Gupta has been charged under sections 341, 323, 353 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code. 
They have been working relentlessly round-the-clock collecting garbage and keeping the town clean. Everyday around 90 metric tons of waste is generated. It is a back-breaking task. We have even pressed commercial vehicles to collect the waste. The public will also have to abide by the rules and dump the garbage as per the specified timing. 
We request the conservancy staff to withdraw their cease work as the accused has been arrested and law will take its course,” stated Dipen Thakuri, chairman, Darjeeling Municipality. “We are hereby lifting the cease work as action has been taken as per the law. We do not want to inconvenience the public,” added Sarki.
The Municipality has specifically mentioned that garbage has to be disposed between 7 pm and 5 am in the designated areas. Violators will face fines ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 1000. Committees have been formed to monitor this. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/indefinite-cease-work-by-conservancy-staff-of-darjeeling-municipality-lifted-565971

China enhances military support to Pakistan along LoC in Kashmir

PTI, May 29, 2024 : Pakistan’s key ally China has been actively bolstering the defence capabilities of the Pakistani army along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir over the past three years which includes the construction of steelhead bunkers and the provision of Unmanned Aerial and Combat Aerial Vehicles, officials said on Wednesday.

Chinese assistance also extends to the installation of highly encrypted communication towers and the laying of underground fibre cables along the LoC. Moreover, advanced radar systems of Chinese origin, such as the ‘JY’ and ‘HGR’ series, have been deployed to enhance medium and low altitude target detection capabilities, providing crucial intelligence support for army and air defence units, they said.

Additionally, the presence of the SH-15, a 155 mm truck-mounted howitzer gun manufactured by a Chinese firm, has been noticed at various locations along the LoC. This move is seen as part of efforts to strengthen China’s ties with Pakistan and safeguard Chinese investments in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, particularly related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Though the presence of senior PLA officials at forward posts, as was detected in 2014, was not found, some intercepts suggested that Chinese troops and engineers were setting up infrastructure along the LoC, including building underground bunkers, officials said. Chinese experts were engaged in tunnel construction in the Leepa Valley of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), signalling preparations for an all-weather road to connect with the Karakoram highway, they said.

This strategic move is linked to Beijing’s ambitious 46-billion-dollar CPEC project, aiming to establish a direct route between Gwadar Port in Pakistan and Xinjiang province in China through the Karakoram highway, an area under the illegal occupation of China.

In 2007, a Chinese telecom company had taken over a Pakistani telecom company and formed China Mobile Pakistan (CMPak) — a 100 per cent owned subsidiary of China Mobile Communications Corporation.

In August 2022, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), while renewing the mobile licence of CMPak (Zong) for PoK, gave permission to expand Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) in the region. While the Indian Army has maintained silence on the matter, intelligence agencies are reportedly being kept informed of the developments.

The continued presence of Chinese military personnel in the region has raised concerns, with India voicing objections to Chinese activities in Gilgit and Baltistan areas in the past. As tensions persist, India remains vigilant and prepared to thwart any potential threats emanating from across the border, officials said.

State education council to distribute language textbooks for free

PTI, KOLKATA, MAY 30, 2024 : / The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education on
Thursday said it will distribute free language textbooks to students, months after the introduction of a semester-based education system for classes 11 and 12 in educational institutes in the state.

However, due to logistical challenges, the distribution process may experience delays, according to council president Chiranjib Bhattacharya. The revised curriculum, implemented after 11 years, particularly focuses on language subjects, which have been thoroughly updated and divided into four semesters. “The council has revised the curriculum of all subjects after 11 years. 
The language papers, in particular, were thoroughly revised and curriculum of all subjects were split into four semesters,” he said. 
The state government has undertaken the printing of all language textbooks for distribution across the state, but despite extensive efforts, the process may take some time, he added. 
The council is uploading textual materials of language subjects on its website for the benefit of students, teachers, and parents, while endeavours are being made to expedite printing and distribution of textbooks, he said. 
State-run and state-aided schools are scheduled to reopen after the ongoing summer vacation on June 3, with classes commencing from June 10. Some schools have already started online classes for 12th standard students. 
The adoption of the semester system for classes 11 and 12 in all state-run and state-aided schools was previously announced by the council, with implementation beginning in the academic session 2024-25 for class 11 and 2025-26 for class 12. 
Under this new system, the 10+2course is divided into four parts, with class11 structured as semester 1 and 2, and class12 as semester 3 and 4. According to the draft of the new state education policy unveiled in August last year, board exams will be conducted after the completion of the third and fourth semesters. 
The existing 4+4+2+2 structure, where students spend four years in the foundation stage, followed by four years in upper primary (preparatory stage), and two years (classes 9 and 10) in secondary education, will be retained, as stated by a higher secondary department official. 

Landslides are difficult to predict

Editorial, EOI, 30 May 2024 : For the people of the hills of Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Sikkim, landslides are of common occurrence. Now in the wake of the devastating landslide in the mountainous Enga province in Papua New Guinea late last week with estimates of the death toll varying between 670 and 2,000 the University of Sydney has offered some explanations as to what causes landslides and if landslides can be predicted to save lives.

As the Papua New Guinea experience has underscored, rescue is challenging in the event of a landslide. Secondary slides and rock falls hamper efforts in the search zone. Because of lack of access, it becomes difficult to move heavy digging machinery to the landslide zone. Roads need to be cleared or repaired for assistance and equipment to arrive. t is difficult to locate potential survivors as landslides carry away buildings and their occupants in an unpredictable manner. 
Landslides happen when the pull from gravity exceeds the strength of the geomaterial forming the slope of a hill or mountain. Geomaterials can be as varied as rocks, sand, silt and clays. Then, part of this slope starts sliding downhill. Depending on where the slope fails, the material sliding down can be just a few cubic metres or a few million cubic metres in volume.
But why do slopes fail? 
Most natural landslides are triggered by earthquakes or rainfall. Earthquakes shake the ground, stress it and weaken it over time. Rainwater can seep through the ground and soak it and add weight to the slope. The ground is often porous like a sponge.
Another adverse effect of water is erosion, causing slopes to fall. Groundwater can also dissolve rocks within slopes. Human activities also contribute to the chance of landslides. Deforestation has a negative impact on slope stability, as tree roots naturally reinforce the ground and drain water out. Mine blasts produce small earthquake-like ground vibrations that shake slopes nearby. It is difficult to predict and mitigate landslide risk effectively. 
The thousands of deadly and costly landslides occurring every year worldwide suggest so. To warn people of a coming landslide, one would need a prediction for earthquakes and rainfall, in addition to a perfect knowledge of the slope-forming geomaterial.
Geomaterials may include multiple, entangled layers of various kinds of rocks and particulate materials, such as sand, silt and clays. 
Their strength varies, and their spatial distribution dictates where the slope is likely to fail. To accurately assess the stability of the slope, a three-dimensional mapping of these materials and their strengths is needed. No sensor can provide this information, so geologists and geotechnical engineers must deal with partial information obtained at a few selected locations and extrapolate this data to the rest of the slope. 
The weakest link of the chain, such as an existing fracture in a rock mass, is easily missed. This is an inevitable source of uncertainty when trying to predict how much material might slip. It is known that the larger the volume of a landslide, the farther its runout distance. But it is hard to gauge the exact size of a landslide, making predictions of runout distances and safe zones uncertain.
It is always uncertain when a landslide will occur. Mechanical analysis enables one to estimate the vulnerability of a slope in a particular scenario, including earthquake magnitude and distribution of groundwater. But predicting if and when these triggers will happen is a difficult task.

Experts suggest non-motorised transport system for hill towns to address traffic woes

‘Non-motorised transport is the way out for mountain towns like Gangtok and Darjeeling as our region has reached a saturation point in vehicle density,’ said Kailash Pradhan
A row of vehicles on NH55 leading to Darjeeling town on Wednesday: Sourced by The Telegraph

Vivek Chhetri, TT, Darjeeling, 30.05.24: 

Experts have suggested that tourist towns like Darjeeling and Gangtok, which face massive traffic snarls, must adopt a non-motorised transport system as a long-term solution.

For the past many years, the administration of both towns has been looking at managing traffic in the “traditional” manner.
Two well-known architects from the region with vast experience in working on hilly terrains, Kailash Pradhan of Gangtok and Subin Pradhan of Kalimpong, however, had a new take.

“Non-motorised transport is the way out for mountain towns like Gangtok and Darjeeling as our region has reached a saturation point in vehicle density,” said Kailash.

The focus, experts believe, is to have a combination of ropeways, escalators and elevated walkways for the hills.

“Unlike in the plains, in the hills we can neither build flyovers in the hills nor broaden the roads because of the terrain,” said Subin.

The architects suggested that ropeways with at least four stations be planned from Lebong to the Chowrasta–Batasia-Tiger Hill stretch in Darjeeling.

“Gondolas must be used as public transport. Elevated walkways are other options one needs to explore,” said Subin, who added that car parking lots must be set up on the periphery of Darjeeling town.

Subin suggested that the DHR rail line and the road should be at the same level in select narrow stretches.

The experts said that there was no ready-made template for mountain towns like Darjeeling and Gangtok.

“Not many cities in the world have come up in terrains similar to that of Darjeeling and Gangtok. This is why our planning must be out of the box,” said Kailash.

Traffic in the hills virtually comes to a standstill during the tourist season. In 2019, Darjeeling Police and Anit Thapa, in charge of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, had organised an open-air meeting with stakeholders and the public to seek solutions to ease traffic woes.

Suggestions like removing all roadside parkings, rules to make it mandatory for hotels to create clustered parking spaces and designated pick and drop points, changes in traffic timing and setting up alternative roads were discussed.

“Only two decisions have been implemented so far, dismantling shuttered shops at the parking space near Darjeeling Government College and the Darjeeling zoo’s decision to build its own parking space,” said a tourism stakeholder present at the 2019 meeting.
Courtesy & source- The Telegraph
https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/experts-suggest-non-motorised-transport-system-for-hill-towns-to-address-traffic-woes/cid/2023393

North Bengal celebrates International Everest Day

Amitava Banerjee, MP, 29 May 2024, Darjeeling: With demands for “Bharat Ratna” to be awarded posthumously to legendary mountaineer Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, reverberating from different quarters, International Everest Day was commemorated on Wednesday. 

The day marks the first successful ascent of Mount Everest by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary on this day in 1953. The birth anniversary of Tenzing Sherpa is also observed on this day. With the appeal for Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of the country, to be conferred on Tenzing Norgay, the Nature and Trekkers’ Club of Jalpaiguri (NTCJ) sent a letter to Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday. 
“Tenzing Norgay has been one of the most influential Indians on the global arena. He was declared as one of the most influential people of the world by Time Magazine in 1999. He has received wide accolades globally. NASA has honoured him by naming one of Pluto’s mountains as “Tenzing Montes”. 
The recognition bestowed by the Indian Government by awarding him the third highest civilian award the Padma Bhushan does not parallel his contribution. Despite being most deserving of the highest honour our nation can bestow on anyone — Bharat Ratna, it remains elusive for him in spite of widespread appeal to the government from different spheres of the society throughout India,” stated the letter to the Prime Minister expressing hope that the appeal would be given serious consideration. 
“We will also approach the Jalpaiguri Municipality to install a statue of Tenzing Norgay Sherpa in Jalpaiguri. He is the greatest inspiration for the youth, specially adventure lovers and mountaineers,” stated Bhaskar Das, coordinator of the NTCJ and member, Governing Council, Indian Mountaineering Federation. 
“It is an excellent proposal. We will discuss the modalities including funds and a suitable location for the statue in Jalpaiguri in the Chairman in Council meeting,” stated Papia Pal, chairperson, Jalpaiguri Municipality while talking to Millennium Post. 
“We reiterate our demand of Bharat Ratna for Tenzing Norgay Sherpa. We fail to understand why the Union government is so hesitant? After the Model Code of Conduct, the state government will again raise this issue,” stated Gautam Deb, Mayor, Siliguri Municipal Corporation during the commemoration of Everest Day in Siliguri, jointly Himalayan Nature and Adventure Foundation. 
The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) ,Darjeeling, also commemorated the day by offering floral tribute at the Memorial of Tenzing Sherpa. “He was the first Director of Field Training of HMI. His contributions have been instrumental in establishing HMI as a leading institution in mountaineering education,” stated Group Captain Jai Kishan, Principal HMI. 
Sikkim’s Marathon man Amar Subba accompanied by two others ran from Jorethang in Sikkim to the HMI, Darjeeling completing 32 km, uphill in 3 hours. The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration launched a 10 km long hiking trail from Darjeeling Chowrasta to Sidrapong Hydro Project with stopovers at Tibetan museum, Tenzing Norgay’s house, Ava Art Gallery via the Arya Tea Estate. 
Jamling Tenzing Norgay, son of Tenzing Norgay, opened up the “Tenzing Norgay Hiking Trail.”
Courtesy & source: Millennum Post 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/north-bengal-celebrates-international-everest-day-565832

As many as 8 Rohingyas held at NJP Railway Station

MP, 29 May 2024, Siliguri: As many as eight Rohingyas, including a child, were arrested at New Jalpaiguri Railway Station on their way to Punjab via New Jalpaiguri (NJP) Railway Station. Among those arrested, four were women, three were men. 

The accused have been identified as Zubera Begum, Rehana Akhtar, Ashiya Begum, Hasina Begum, Noor Hakim, Saddam Hussain and Azinur. 
“We apprehended eight people, including a child. All of them have been presented at Court. We have commenced an investigation,” said Selvamurugan, the Superintendent of Railway Police (SRP) of Siliguri GRP. 
All those who were arrested were living in the Kutuk Fallung Refugee Camp in Bangladesh. The Government Railway Police (GRP) of NJP received a tip-off about the Rohingyas. 
Based on that tip-off, they raided the North-East Samparkranti Express Train on platform number three at NJP Railway Station on Tuesday evening and arrested them. 
According to GRP, they had boarded the train from Badarpur Junction in Assam to Delhi. From there, they planned to go to Punjab. On Wednesday, all the accused were produced at the Jalpaiguri Court. 
Courtesy & spurce- Millennium Post

https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/as-many-as-8-rohingyas-held-at-njp-rly-stn-565834?infinitescroll=1