Category Archives: Regional

State education council to distribute language textbooks for free

May 31, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

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.

Regional, Sikkim, West Bengal

Landslides are difficult to predict

May 30, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

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.

Regional

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

May 30, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

‘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

Regional, West Bengal

North Bengal celebrates International Everest Day

May 30, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

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

Crime, International, Regional

As many as 8 Rohingyas held at NJP Railway Station

May 30, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

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

Regional, West Bengal

Storms in different parts of North Bengal uproot trees, damage houses

May 30, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

MP, 29 May 2024, Cooch Behar/ Siliguri/ Jalpaiguri: A large area of Tufanganj in the Cooch Behar district was devastated by a powerful storm in the wee hours of Wednesday.

A large area under Nakkati Gach Village Panchayat in Tufanganj Block No. 1 was virtually demolished in the storm. In addition to numerous houses collapsing, many trees were also uprooted.

A storm also hit Siliguri on Tuesday night continuing till the early hours of Wednesday, uprooting multiple trees, electricity poles and disrupting electricity. According to local sources, more than 30 houses have been damaged in Tufanganj.

The Tufanganj-Balabhut state highway was blocked by fallen electricity poles and trees that was cleared by the disaster management team, restoring traffic. Despite this, there is still no electricity in the area.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation. Shyamsunder Basak, a local resident, said: “The tin roof of our house was blown away by the gusty wind. In the middle of the night, we had to find shelter.”A large part of the Nakkati Gach area has been without power since the storm.

’ Due to the extensive damage, the electricity supply has been severely affected. According to administrative sources, the fire brigade and disaster management teams, along with the Electricity department, were working in the area since Wednesday morning with the aim to complete all necessary repairs as quickly as possible.

Rajesh Tantri, vice-president of Tufanganj number I Panchayat Samity, said: “Natural disasters are beyond our control. Many houses were damaged. We have arranged tarpaulin sheets for the affected families.

The block administration is keeping a close watch on all issues.” Meanwhile in Siliguri, rain and thunderstorms hit at around 10 pm on Tuesday and continued till the early hours of Wednesday. Trees and electricity poles were uprooted in several areas of Sevoke Road near Surya Sen Park.

A few areas of wards 15, 16, 17, 21 and adjacent areas of Siliguri, including Fulbari and Kharibari, were affected due to heavy rainfall and storms. Mayor Gautam Deb, along with Deputy Mayor Ranjan Sarkar, visited the affected areas. “SMC workers are working on a war footing clearing roads.

The electricity supply has been disrupted in a few areas. Repair works have started since Wednesday morning. We will carry out replantation of some of the trees,” stated Deb. Electricity was restored in wards 10 and 15 by afternoon.

Work was on in wards 17 and 21. Due to the rain in the mountains and the release of 2000 cumec water from the Kalijhora barrage, there is a surge in water in the River Teesta. Owing to this, water has entered the low-lying areas of Teesta, including Salugara Laltong Basti in the Jalpaiguri district.

Irrigation department North East Chief Engineer Krishnandu Bhowmik said: “No warning has been issued in the river.

Due to the release of water from the barrage, some low-lying areas have witnessed inundation. There is nothing to panic about.”

Courtesy & source- Millennium Post

https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/storms-in-different-parts-of-north-bengal-uproot-trees-damage-houses-565839

Health, Regional, West Bengal

‘Mercury set to soar in South Bengal; thunderstorms to continue in North’

May 30, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

MP, 30 May 2024, Kolkata: The Regional Meteorological Centre in Alipore said that mercury is set to soar in South Bengal districts while the North Bengal districts will continue to witness thunderstorms as Cyclone ‘Remal’ weakened into a depression.

Temperature is expected to go up by 3-5 degree Celsius in South Bengal in the next three days, the MeT office said.

There is however a possibility of thunderstorms in some parts of South Bengal in the weekend. Meanwhile, the monsoon is expected to make an onset over Kerala and some parts of northeast India during the next 24 hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its Wednesday bulletin.

The IMD said that the conditions are expected to become favourable for further advancement of the southwest monsoon into some parts of the South Arabian Sea and the remaining parts of Maldives and the Comorin area, some parts of Lakshadweep area, some more parts of the Southwest & Central Bay of Bengal and Northeast Bay of Bengal during the same period.

Last year monsoon onset was delayed by a week on June 8. The Alipore MeT office said that there is no weather alert and hence the fishermen can venture into the sea. Cyclone “Remal” has paved the way for the Monsoon to set in.

According to the IMD, the normal monsoon onset over Kerala is June 1 and thereafter it advances northwards and then to the rest of the country around July 15. Monsoon normally advances over northeast India around June 5.

Several parts of South Bengal remained partially cloudy on Wednesday. Coastal areas also remained cloudy. The temperature will go up in south Bengal districts from Wednesday.

https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/mercury-set-to-soar-in-south-bengal-thunderstorms-to-continue-in-north-565865

Health, Regional, West Bengal

Drinking water blue in Siliguriover report of contamination

May 30, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

EOI, SILIGURI, MAY 29, 2024 : Mayor of Siliguri Gautam Deb has announced a temporary prohibition on the supply of drinking water supply in the municipal areas from May 29 to the afternoon of June 2due to contamination of water.

While water would continue to be supplied daily in municipal areas, city residents have been strongly advised against consuming it.

Except using it as drinking water, the supplied water remains suitable for use in other purposes. Reports indicate that a decrease in Biochemical Oxygen Demand has led to contamination of the drinking water supply.

On Wednesday, Mayor Gautam Deb addressed the issue at a news conference held in the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) and stated that water samples had been dispatched to Kolkata for testing, and the results were expected to be available in five days.

Meanwhile, the water should not be consumed until the reports arrive.

To address the issue,the SMC has arranged for alternative sources of drinking water, including the distribution of 100,000 water pouches.

Additionally,15,000 to 20,000 pouches would be distributed in each of the five boroughs, and drinking water tankers would be dispatched to every ward.

Siliguri MLA Shankar Ghosh criticized Mayor Gautam Deb, alleging a failure in municipal governance.

He pointed out that residents had already been consuming contaminated water for the past 15 to 16 days and held the Mayor and the Municipal Council accountable for the situation.

Students participate art competition on the occasion of 164th Birth anniversary of Kobi Guru Rabindranath Tagore organised by MLA Prithiraj Rabha at Tezpur—— UB Photos

Entertainment, Health, Regional

GTA launches hiking trail to mark Tenzing’s birth anniversary

May 30, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

EOI, DARJEELING, MAY 29, 2024 : To mark the birth anniversary of
legendary mountaineer Tenzing
Norgay Sherpa, the Gorkhaland
Territorial Administration on
Wednesday introduced a day long
hiking trail for outdoor adventure
enthusiasts.

May 29 marks the 110th birth
anniversary of Tenzing Norgay
and 71st year of summit of
Everest. On this day in 1953
Tenzing and Sir Edmund Hillary
scaled the highest peak on earth
for the first time.

The hiking trail will start
from Chowrasta, the most popular
square of Darjeeling and end at
Sidrapong which is considered as
the first hydroelectric project of
Asia. The 10 km trail will take
tourists through picturesque
landscapes and lush green tea
gardens. There will be stops at the
Tibetan Museum, Tenzing’s
house, Ava Art Gallery, the
historic Burdwan Palace and the
Arya tea garden,
all of which are
located in low
altitude and
tourist hiking
friendly.

“In the past too
the GTA
introduced short
hiking trails for
tourists and
adventure
enthusiasts. This
year we have
launched a 10 km
trail from
Chowrasta to
Sidrabong. We
have already conducted a trial run
and have found that is will be
convenient and easy for the
tourists,” said the GTA’s
department of adventure
tourism, coordinator, Dawa
Gyalpo Sherpa. The return
journey will be by vehicles via
the Orange Valley tea estate.

Last year, the GTA introduced
a 12 km hiking trail from
Chowrasta to Tiger Hill. “With
these long hiking trails, we intend
to promote eco-friendly tourism
and encourage tourists to take up
healthier travel activities,” the
GTA adventure
tourism
department
coordinator saikd.

The
Himalayan
Mountaineering
Institute organized
a programme
during the day to
commemorate
Tenzing’s birth
anniversary. Floral
tribute was offered
at the Samadhi of
Tenzing located
within the HMI
premise.

“It is a matter of great pride
that he (Tenzing Norgay) was the
first field director of our institute.
We continue to follow in his
footstep. The tourists got to know
about the birth anniversary of the
first person to summit Everest and
his connection with the HMI,”
said the HMI principal, Group
Captain Jai Kishan. Tenzing died
on May 9, 1986 in Darjeeling and
was cremated inside the HMI and
his Samadhi has now become a
popular must visit spot.

Tenzing’s son Jamling
Tenzing Norgay reiterated the
demand for conferring the
legendary figure with the Bharat
Ratna. “It is the demand of the
Sherpa community and people of
Darjeeling Hills. My father was
the first Indian to summit Everest
and bring the country to limelight
just a few years after the British
left. My father was also the first
non-political recognized icon who
inspired people all over the
world. We will continue to
request the Government to
respect the wish of the people,”
he said.

Regional, Sikkim

Steps to ensure public safety following rise in level of Teesta

May 30, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

EOI, PAKYONG, MAY 29, 2024 : The Pakyong district authorities have started taking measures to ensure public safety in view of the rising level of water of river Teesta.

In accordance with the directive of District Collector Pakyong, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Rangpo Thendup Lepcha, accompanied by the Municipal Executive Officer Rangpo Nagar Panchayat and officials from the Sikkim Departments of Fisheries and Forest and police personnel on Wednesday conducted an inspection at the River Teesta belt of Rangpo
subdivision and the River Rangpo belt to assess the situation and ensure the safety of common people in light of the rising water levels of the River Teesta.

The Central Water Commission (CWC)
issued an alert at 1 am on Wednesday due to the rising water levels of the River Teesta, urging people along the basin to remain vigilant.

The alert serves as a reminder for residents to take necessary
precautions and stay away from the river.

An awareness campaign was conducted in the IBM area and Mazigoan Rangpo, using loudspeakers, to instruct the people to stay away from the river, starting from 5 pm onwards.

This proactive measure was aimed to prevent any potential accidents or
mishaps due to the increasing water levels. The Forest Department has also mandated the closure of quarries after 5 pm.

This step has been taken to ensure the safety of workers and to prevent any harm that may be caused by the rising water levels.

The Fisheries Department has already issued a notice forbidding fishing for three months from April 1 to June 30, in view of the mating season and to ensure sustainability.

This measure is critical to maintaining ecological balance and
protecting the the fish population of the river.

Regional

Landslides are difficult to predict : Mechanical analysis enables to estimate the vulnerability

May 30, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

But why do slopes fail?

Geomaterials may include multiple, entangled layers of various kinds of rocks and particulate materials, such as sand, silt and clays.

Health, National, Regional

North, central India sizzle under severe heatwave, nearly 50 degrees Celsius in parts of Delhi

May 29, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

The IMD said respite from the heatwave conditions could be in sight after May 30

PTI, New Delhi, 29.05.24 : Large parts of northern and central India were in the grip of extreme heatwave conditions on Tuesday with the mercury crossing 50 degrees Celsius in Rajasthan’s Churu and Haryana’s Sirsa and settling nine notches above normal in Delhi.

At least three weather stations in Delhi recorded maximum temperatures of 49 degrees Celsius or more. Mungeshpur and Narela in Delhi clocked 49.9 degrees followed by Najafgarh at 49.8 degrees Celsius, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

This was the highest maximum temperature recorded in the capital this season. However, Mungeshpur and Narela weather stations came up in 2022 and have records only for the last three years.

The IMD said respite from the heatwave conditions could be in sight after May 30.

It said that a fresh western disturbance was expected over parts of northwest India on Thursday which could bring isolated rainfall over the region on the weekend.

IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra has attributed the heatwave conditions over northwest and central India to the absence of western disturbances during the latter half of May.

Western disturbances are extra-tropical weather systems formed over the Mediterranean Sea that move from the west to the east.

According to the IMD, 10 weather stations recorded the highest-ever maximum temperature and the highest for the month — Agra-Taj (48.6 degrees Celsius), Dehri in Bihar (47 degrees Celsius), Hamirpur in Uttar Pradesh (48.2 degrees Celsius), Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh (49 degrees Celsius), Narnaul in Haryana (48.5 degrees Celsius), Ayanagar-Delhi (47.6 degrees Celsius), New Delhi-Ridge (47.5 degrees Celsius), Rewa in Madhya Pradesh (48.2 degrees Celsius), Rohtak in Haryana (48.1 degrees Celsius), and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh (47.2 degrees Celsius).

In some much-needed relief, south Rajasthan districts of Barmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Sirohi and Jalore recorded a drop in temperatures up to four notches on Tuesday due to moist wind incursion from the Arabian Sea, indicating the beginning of abatement of heatwave conditions over northwest India.

Numerical weather prediction models showed that this decreasing trend would further extend northwards, bringing gradual respite from heatwave conditions from May 30 onwards.

Also, the incursion of moist winds from the Bay of Bengal from Wednesday onwards is likely to result in a gradual fall in maximum temperatures over Uttar Pradesh from May 30, the IMD said.

“Today, heatwave to severe heatwave conditions prevailed over most parts of Rajasthan, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, in many parts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and in isolated pockets of Bihar and Himachal Pradesh,” it said.

It said that heatwave conditions also prevailed in many places over Vidarbha, in some pockets over Jammu and Kashmir and in isolated pockets of Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh.

Churu in Rajasthan was the hottest place in the country with a maximum temperature of 50.5 degrees Celsius, followed by Sirsa-AWS in Haryana (50.3 degrees Celsius), Mungeshpur and Narela (49.9 degrees Celsius), Najafgarh (49.8 degrees Celsius), Sirsa (49.5 degrees Celsius), Ganganagar in Rajasthan (49.4 degrees Celsius), Pilani and Phalodi in Rajasthan and Jhansi (49 degrees Celsius).

Warm night conditions in isolated pockets are very likely to prevail over Uttar Pradesh, east Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi over the next few days, the weather office said.

The scorching heat prompted the Haryana government to advance summer vacations in all state-run and private schools to Tuesday.

The deadly heatwave is testing power grids and leading to water shortages in parts of the country.

According to the Central Water Commission, water storage in 150 major reservoirs in India dropped to just 24 per cent of their live storage last week, exacerbating water shortages in many states and significantly affecting hydropower generation.

The Maharashtra irrigation department said that the water stock in Jayakwadi dam in the drought-prone Marathwada region stood at a mere 5.19 per cent of its capacity on Monday after recording an evaporation loss of 1.15 MCM (million cubic metres) in a single day due to the heat.

The intense heat has already driven India’s power demand to 239.96 gigawatts, the highest so far this season, with air conditioners and coolers in homes and offices running at full capacity.

Experts anticipate that power demand could rise even further and surpass the all-time high of 243.27 GW recorded in September 2023.

Severe heatwaves have impacted a large number of people in parts of India for three consecutive years, affecting health, water availability, agriculture, power generation, and other sectors of the economy.

Crime, National, Regional, States

Adult or juvenile: Supreme Court passes slew of guidelines on heinous crimes

May 29, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

A bench of Justice C.T. Ravi Kumar and Justice Rajesh Bindal passed the directions while disposing of an appeal filed by the mother of a juvenile challenging the order of a juvenile justice board in Karnataka that her son be tried as an adult in a case relating to rape under the POSCO Act

R. Balaji, TT, New Delhi, 29.05.24 : The Supreme Court has passed a slew of guidelines for courts to follow in cases related to juveniles, particularly on the question of whether the juvenile/child in conflict with the law deserves to be treated as an adult for heinous crimes or under the Juvenile Justice Act.

In view of the discussions, the appeal was disposed of with the following directions:

(i) The provision of Section 14(3) of the act, providing for three months for completion of a preliminary assessment (of the juvenile’s mental status) under Section 15 of the act, is not mandatory. The same is held to be directory. The period can be extended for reasons to be recorded in writing by the chief judicial magistrate or as the case may be the chief metropolitan magistrate.

(ii) The words “children’s court” and “court of sessions” in the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and the 2016 rules shall be read interchangeably. Primarily jurisdiction vests in the children’s court.

However, in the absence of constitution of such children’s court in the district, the power to be exercised under the act is vested with the court of sessions.

(iii) Appeal under Section 101(2) of the act against an order of the board passed under Section 15 of the act can be filed within 30 days. The appellate court can entertain the appeal after the expiry of the period, provided sufficient cause is shown. Endeavour has to be made to decide any such appeal filed within 30 days.

(iv) In all the orders passed by the courts, tribunals, boards and the quasi-judicial authorities, the names of the presiding officer and/or the members who sign the orders shall be mentioned. In case any identification number has been given, it can also be added.

(v) The presiding officers and/or members while passing the order shall properly record the presence of the parties and/or their counsels, the purpose for which the matter is being adjourned and the party on whose behalf the adjournment has been sought and granted.

A copy of the judgment will be sent to all the registrar generals of high courts for circulation amongst the judicial officers and the members of the juvenile justice boards, the directors of the National Judicial Academy and the state judicial academies.

The apex court passed the directions after senior advocates Sidharth Luthra and R. Basanth complained that many children’s courts and juvenile justice boards were not following the statutory rules prescribed under the act.

Cong on Rajkot probe

The Congress on Tuesday demanded a probe under the supervision of a sitting Supreme Court or high court judge into the fire at the Rajkot game zone and alleged that the BJP government in Gujarat was “not serious” about taking action in the case.

Economy, Regional

One day hill trail for hikers: GTA to introduce route to commemorate Tenzing’s Everest summit

May 29, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

On May 29, 1953, Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary scaled the world’s highest peak for the first time

Darjeeling’s Mall or Chowrasta from where the Tenzing Norgay Hiking Trail will start.: File picture

Binita Paul, TT, Siliguri, 29.05.24 : The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) will introduce a one-day-long hiking trail for adventure enthusiasts and tourists in general in the hilly terrains of Darjeeling on Wednesday to commemorate the 71st anniversary of the Mt. Everest summit.

On May 29, 1953, Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary scaled the world’s highest peak for the first time.

S.P. Sharma, the GTA’s chief public relations officer (PRO), said the tourist-friendly one-day trail in Darjeeling had been conceived earlier but was never launched.

“From tomorrow (Wednesday), the trail will be active for tourists. Tenzing Norgay had traversed the route to practise trekking several decades ago,” he said.

Mount Kanchenjungha as seen from Tiger Hill, the last destination of the trail. : File picture

The trail, Sharma said, will start from Chowrasta, the popular promenade in the heart of the hill town, and move through picturesque landscapes and charming villages.

“It will move through the quaint hamlet of Toongsung and people can experience the serenity of Lambadara and immerse themselves in the rich cultural tapestry of Gurung Gaon,” the GTA PRO said.

After Gurung Gaon, tourists will experience the adventure of crossing the Rungdung river.

“As one descends, the trail leads him/her to Rangeyroong, offering panoramic vistas of the majestic Himalayan peaks,” Sharma said.

In the final leg, a tourist or a trekker will move to Gaddikhan while the last destination will be Tiger Hill.

“We would like to invite tourists to experience the legacy of Tenzing Norgay and celebrate the spirit of mountaineering on the Tenzing Norgay Hiking Trail,” he added.

Sources said the hiking trail would be 12km long. “This trail is a moderate challenge and requires around five to six hours of walking at a height of 8,500ft. Along the way, tourists can witness diverse flora and fauna, including rare orchids and vibrant birds,” said a source.

Dawa Gyalpo Sherpa, the coordinator of adventure tourism at the GTA, said: “Trekking is for long trips while day-hiking is a one-day trip. We recommend it for tourists with families. We are also launching a second trail tomorrow (Wednesday),” he said.

Sherpa said the Tibetan Museum, the house of Tenzing Norgay, the Ava Art Gallery and the historic Burdwan Palace (Rajbari) fall along the second trail.

He said tourists could have a tea break at Shiv Eco-Camp before venturing through the serene Arya tea estate where they could check out the process of making the world-famous Darjeeling Tea.

Tourists will also visit the Sidrapong hydro-electrical project, which is recognised as Asia’s first hydroelectric project. From Sidrapong, tourists will drive back to Darjeeling via the Orange Valley tea estate.

“This will be a 10km-long trail with moderate difficulty level. The altitude will be from 6,800 feet to 3,600 feet. This adventure walk offers a unique opportunity to explore the region’s cultural, historical and natural heritage while promoting eco-tourism and sustainable travel practices,” said Sherpa.

Tourism stakeholders said many visitors to Darjeeling would prefer short treks.

“Usually, trekkers head for Sandakphu (the highest point in Bengal). But it takes four to five days to cover the entire route and many couldn’t afford it because of the lack of time and health reasons. They will now have the option to join these shorter treks,” said a tour operator based in Siliguri.

Politics, Regional

Hamro Party prez writes to Chief Minister seeking intervention

May 29, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

Amitava Banerjee, MP, 28 May 2024, Darjeeling: Ajoy Edwards, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Sabhasad and president Hamro Party, in a letter to Chief Minister Mamata expressed concerns over the fate of areas affected in the October 4, 2023, Teesta flash floods in Kalimpong district with the monsoons fast approaching.

He further urged the Chief Minister for the rehabilitation of the affected families displaced in the flash floods.

“As you are aware, due to the flash flood in the Teesta basin during the intervening night of October 3 and 4, 2023, National Highway 10, other connecting roads, villages, bazaars, bridges, buildings and the Teesta hydropower station have been submerged and washed away.

This has severely affected communication with international borders and the strategic position of Sikkim, as well as the Kalimpong and Darjeeling districts (GTA region). It has been found that 335 houses, including 223 houses in Rangpo, 10 houses in Tarkhola, 3 houses in Mamkhola, 45 houses in Bhalukhola and Malli, 39 houses in Testa Bazar and Teesta Bridge, 9 houses in Galle Khola, 4 houses in Rayang and 2 houses in Bangay have been partly or fully damaged.

At this moment, affected people are residing at various relief camps,” stated the letter. In his letter, Edwards wrote: “With the monsoon season approaching, the hill people are deeply concerned about the fate of the displaced families and individuals who are currently staying in various relief camps.”

He further mentioned that with heavy siltation owing to the flash flood and with the quality of work on riverbank protection, highway (road) protection and other related works concerning the Teesta River may not have been maintained, the National Highway 10, would not be able to bear the brunt of the upcoming monsoon.

“In such an event, the vehicles from Sikkim and also Kalimpong run via Ghoom and Darjeeling. Already our roads are overburdened and are facing serpentine traffic jams.

The Government of West Bengal and Sikkim should coordinate to work out and streamline the traffic flow in case of such eventuality so that traffic can flow smoothly” stated Edwards, talking to the Millennium Post.

“Furthermore, initiatives for relief distribution and rehabilitation aimed at supporting displaced families and individuals affected by the Teesta River disaster should be completed without any delay,” urged the letter.

Edwards has also written to the Chief Minister of Sikkim; Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways; Principal Secretary, GTA and the District Magistrates of Kalimpong and Darjeeling and to the Northeast Frontier Railways.

Courtesy & source- Millennium Post

https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/hamro-party-prez-writes-to-chief-minister-seeking-intervention-565686

Regional, Sikkim

Singalila Range claims three lives: one at Sandakphu two at Chewa Bhanjyang

May 29, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

Photo courtesy: Bir Yakthungba FB

EOI, DARJEELING, MAY 28, 2024 : Twenty-nine-year-old Tanmoy Kundu, a resident of of Kaliyaganj in the North Dinajpur district of West Bengal, was declared dead in a hospital on Monday after being brought back from Sandakphu.

There are reports that the bodies of two residents of Yuksom in Sikkim were found on Monday at Chewa Bhanjyang. Both Sandakphu and Chewa Bhanjyang are in the Singalila Range. Kundu along with six others went to Sandakphu, standing at an altitude of 3636 metres, a popular tourist spot 61 km from Darjeeling on May 24, it is believed that the two from Sikkim had started their trekking from somewhere at Gochela, also in Sikkim.

T. Basak, one of the friends that had gone with Kundu, said that on their way to Sandakphu they had made a night halt at Tumling and reached Sandakphu the next day. He said they were to return on May 27.

“On the day we were to return, Kundu complained of stomach aches but we did not take it much seriously as he was saying the pain was minor. But after awhile he started to complain of breathing problems which is when we started to get worried.

A tourist in the next room was a doctor who took a look at him and advised us to admit him to the nearest hospital as soon as possible,” said Basak.

“With no medical facilities at Sandakphu or anywhere near, we hurriedly brought Kundu to the Sukhiapokhri hospital where he was declared dead,” he added.

The hospital at Sukhiapokhri is about 39 km from Sandakphu which Basak claimed took them about two and half hours to reach.
The body was brought to Darjeeling late on Monday night with his autopsy done on Tuesday. The results for the cause of death have not yet been announced.
His family members also arrived in Darjeeling late on Tuesday evening and took the body back home in an ambulance.

Gorkhaland Territorial Administrator Adventure Tourism Department Chief Coordinator Dawa Sherpa said:“ The cause of death could be due to Kundu suffering from high-altitude pulmonary oedema.

The problem nowadays is that tourists from other cities go straight to Sandakphu without acclimatizing. It is learnt that Kundu was complaining of headaches and chest pain from the first day. These are the symptoms of altitude sickness.

”Sherpa said that such sickness was seen among people when they were above 9000 feet whereas Sandakhpu stood at a height of 12,000 feet. “In such cases the only solution is making the person descend to a lower altitude as soon as such symptoms are shown,” said Sherpa.

He also claimed that in Sandakphu there were some trained staff in medical emergencies with oxygen who had managed to save a lady from Bangladesh last week when she complained of similar symptoms.

Speaking about the two bodies also found, Sherpa said: “Two bodies were found by the SSB at Chewa Bhanjyang yesterday in a separate incident. Like Sandakphu, that area also falls in the Singalila Range.

This range starts from Sandakhpu and ends at Chaurikhang in Sikkim which connects to the famous trekking route Gochela. The two could have probably trekked from somewhere there till where the body was found.

The cause of their death is yet not known.”Speaking about preparations at Sandakphu for such emergencies, the GTA tourism department’s chief coordinator said that they had opened an information centre at Manebhanjyang to make tourists aware of many things they should take care of while visiting the area.

He said that tourists however did not make it a point to visit it and straightaway headed to Sandakhpu.

“We are also planning to have a meeting with our higher ups to decide on tourists wanting to go to Sandakhpu being asked to submit a medical certificate. We want to see if they are fit to go there or not, so such things do not happen,” he said

According to the news published by Sikkim News 24, the bodies of the individuals found deceased in Singalila National Park have been identified and transported down the hills for post-mortem examination in Gangtok. The deceased have been confirmed as Puran Gurung, a tourist guide and resident of Yuksam in the Geyzing district, and Sabita Subba, a resident of Tikjek, Geyzing.
According to information from locals, they trekked the Gochala route, stayed at a homestay in the north, and then visited Singalila National Park on May 19. It is suspected that they were struck by lightning, a hazard common in the region.

National, Northeast, Regional, West Bengal

Cyclone Remal impact: Widespread rainfall, red alert in two districts

May 28, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

Even as the impact of Cyclone Remal’s landfall started subsiding, parts of West Bengal, including Kolkata, continued to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall on Monday.

Cyclone Remal impact: Widespread rainfall, red alert in two districts: Cyclone (Photo:IANS)

IANS | Kolkata | May 28, 2024 : Even as the impact of Cyclone Remal’s landfall started subsiding, parts of West Bengal, including Kolkata, continued to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall on Monday.

On the basis of predictions, a red alert continued to be in place in two adjacent districts in south Bengal — Nadia and Murshidabad. The weather office has also predicted the wind speed to be high in these two districts.

Similarly, orange alert continued in eight districts — Kolkata, North 24-Parganas, South 24-Parganas, West Burdwan, East Burdwan, Birbhum, Howrah and Hooghly. There are predictions of heavy rainfall in these districts.

All these districts are located in south Bengal.

However, at the same time, the weather office has given some good news about the further weakening of Remal, which has already lost much of its strength and has converted into a cyclonic storm in the latter part of the day.

The more it weakens in the day, the more the weather conditions in the state will improve accordingly but gradually. As per forecasts, the possibility of heavy rainfall since Tuesday morning is minimal.

In Kolkata, scattered rainfall was witnessed since Monday morning, and the wind speed was more or less normal.

With train services in the south division of Sealdah and flight services at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport having resumed after being suspended for a long time, city life started springing back to normalcy.

However, train service was disrupted at Kolkata Metro on Monday morning following waterlogging at the tracks in certain places.

The India Meteorological Department on Monday informed that the Cyclonic Storm ‘Remal’ over Coastal Bangladesh and adjoining Coastal West Bengal moved nearly northwards, with a speed of 15 kilometres per hour.

“Severe cyclonic storm Remal over Coastal Bangladesh and adjoining Coastal West Bengal weakened into a cyclonic storm at 0530 p.m. on 27 May about 70 km northeast of Canning and 30 km west-southwest of Mongla. The system is likely to gradually weaken further,” IMD posted on X earlier.

Following the landfall of cyclonic storm Remal, waterlogging was witnessed in parts of Kolkata with heavy rain.

The IMD earlier informed that the storm Remal would continue to move nearly northwards for some more time and then north-northeastwards and weaken gradually into a cyclonic storm.

In Memary of East Bardhaman district a father and his son were electrocuted when they touched a banana tree connected with a live wire at their village Kalanabagram. In another case of electrocution, a 47-year-old man died on Raja Road in Panihati in North 24-Parganas this morning when he touched a live wire snapped during the cyclone and was found lying on the road.

The relentless heavy rain is hampering these operations in most of the affected areas in Hingalganj, Frazerganj, Jharkhali, Bakkhali etc. The state government has initiated relief operations, providing food, drinking water and medical assistance to the people affected.