§  Cyclone Montha remnants cause heavy rain, flooding, landslide risks. Red alert Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri.

§  Red alert for North Bengal heavy rainfall. Cyclone Montha brings 200mm+ rain. Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri under threat. Stay safe.!

§  Red alert issued for North Bengal as Cyclone Montha’s remnants trigger extreme rainfall. 200mm+ expected. Landslide and flooding risks through Saturday. Stay alert.!

Kolkata: North Bengal is bracing for catastrophic weather as the remnants of Cyclone Montha intensify into a dangerous low-pressure system, threatening to unleash extremely heavy rainfall across the region. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a RED ALERT for multiple districts, warning of rainfall exceeding 200 millimeters in some areas—a level that could trigger severe flooding, landslides, and widespread devastation.

The threat is immediate and severe. Over the next 24-48 hours, North Bengal faces one of its most dangerous weather scenarios in recent months with residents urged to prepare for potential evacuation and emergency conditions.

Red Alert Zones: Where The Danger Is Greatest

·       The IMD has issued a RED ALERT for four districts in North Bengal on Friday, November 1, 2025

o   Districts Under Red Alert

-        Darjeeling

-        Kalimpong

-        Jalpaiguri

-        Alipurduar

In these areas, extremely heavy rainfall of 7-20 centimeters (or more) is expected with dangerous wind gusts reaching 40-50 kilometers per hour. In certain pockets of Jalpaiguri district, the rainfall could exceed even these projections, potentially reaching over 200 millimeters—double the threshold for extremely heavy rain.

o   Districts Under Orange Alert (Second Highest Warning)

-        Cooch Behar

-        North Dinajpur

These areas face the threat of heavy to very heavy rainfall with similar wind conditions and lightning risks.

The Timeline: When The Storm Arrives

·       Friday, November 1, 2025 - Critical 24-Hour Window

o   Within 2-3 hours from morning, extremely heavy rainfall will strike Jalpaiguri district

o   Wind speeds: 40-50 kilometers per hour with gust potential

o   Lightning and thunderstorms expected throughout the day

o   Peak danger window: 9 AM to 6 PM

·       Friday Evening to Saturday Morning

o   Rainfall intensity continues but gradually reduces

o   Wind speeds remain dangerous (30-40 kmph)

o   Flooding in low-lying areas highly likely

o   Landslide risk continues in hill areas

·       Sunday Onwards

o   Weather begins gradual improvement

o   Scattered showers possible but severity reduces

o   By Monday, weather becomes mostly dry

o   What’s Causing This.? The Cyclone Connection

·       Cyclone Montha’s Journey

o   On October 30, the severe cyclonic storm Montha made landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast. While the storm weakened significantly after crossing the coastline, its remnants have transformed into a dangerous depression and then a distinct low-pressure area.

·       Current Position (As of November 1, 2025 Morning)

o   The remnant system is centered over East Vidarbha region adjoining South Chhattisgarh. However, its circulation extends upward to 7.6 kilometers above sea level—a substantial system that continues to generate severe weather.

·       Movement Pattern

o   The system is moving north-northwest through central India, passing over Bihar and Jharkhand now directly impacting North Bengal and extending toward Nepal and the Himalayan foothills. As it moves northward, it gradually weakens but simultaneously concentrates rainfall intensity over the sub-Himalayan regions—precisely where North Bengal is located.

·       Why North Bengal Gets The Worst

o   When weather systems move northward and encounter mountain ranges like the Himalayas, they are forced to rise. This upward movement causes the moisture-laden air to cool rapidly, resulting in extremely heavy concentrated rainfall in specific zones. North Bengal, being in the direct path and at the foothills of the Himalayas, becomes a rainfall concentration zone.

·       Extreme Weather Conditions Expected

o   Rainfall Details

-        Type: Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall

-        Distribution: Highly uneven—some areas may receive 5cm while others get 20cm+

-        Peak Intensity: Friday morning through evening

-        Gradual Reduction: Saturday, improving by Sunday

·       Wind Conditions

o   Speed: 40-50 kilometers per hour (capable of causing structural damage)

o   Nature: Gusty winds capable of uprooting trees

o   Associated Hazards: Flying debris, traffic disruptions, electricity disruptions

·       Lightning & Thunderstorm Activity

o   Frequent lightning strikes throughout the rainfall period

o   Thunder with heavy downpours creating dangerous conditions

o   Risk of power outages and equipment damage

·       Secondary Impacts

o   Waterlogging: Low-lying areas will experience significant water accumulation

o   Flooding: Rivers like Teesta, Jaldhaka, Sankosh and Torsa will likely overflow

o   Landslides: Hill slopes will be saturated and dangerous

o   Traffic Disruption: Roads may become impassable

o   Power Outages: Extensive electricity disruptions likely

Historical Context: When Did We See This Before.?

·       North Bengal experienced devastating floods and landslides just recently in October 2024 (one year ago) when a similar system triggered

o   21 deaths in the hill districts

o   Massive property damage

o   Extensive crop destruction

o   Displacement of hundreds of families

o   This November’s system carries similar intensity potential, raising serious concerns among authorities and residents.

·       Government and Administrative Response

o   IMD (India Meteorological Department) Actions

-        Issued RED ALERT for critical risk areas

-        Issued ORANGE ALERT for secondary risk areas

-        Provided 72-hour advance warning for evacuation planning

-        Continuous monitoring and updated forecasts every 6 hours

·       District Administration Preparedness

o   Relief camps being set up in safer locations

-        NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) teams positioned for rapid response

-        Medical facilities alerted for emergency situations

-        Communication systems tested for alert distribution

·       Public Advisories

o   Residents in North Bengal have been advised to

-        Avoid unnecessary outdoor activities during peak rainfall

-        Stay away from landslide-prone areas and hill slopes

-        Avoid crossing flooded roads and swollen rivers

-        Keep emergency supplies and first-aid kits ready

-        Charge mobile devices and maintain backup communication

·       Specific District Forecasts

o   Darjeeling District (Red Alert)

-        Expected Rainfall: 16-20 centimeters (heavy to extremely heavy)

-        Special Risk: Landslides in hill terrain, particularly in steep slopes

-        Towns Affected: Darjeeling town, Kurseong, Mirik

-        Vulnerable Areas: Upper hill slopes, tea garden areas

·       Kalimpong District (Red Alert)

o   Expected Rainfall: 14-18 centimeters

-        Special Risk: Steep mountainous terrain increases landslide risk

-        Towns Affected: Kalimpong town, Pedong

-        Infrastructure Risk: Road connectivity to Darjeeling and Sikkim at risk

·       Jalpaiguri District (Red Alert - HIGHEST RISK)

o   Expected Rainfall: 18-22 centimeters or potentially higher

o   Special Risk: Some areas could receive 200mm+ rainfall

o   Towns Affected: Jalpaiguri town, Siliguri, Alipurduar periphery

o   River Risk: Teesta and Jaldhaka rivers likely to overflow

·       Alipurduar District (Red Alert)

o   Expected Rainfall: 16-20 centimeters

o   Special Risk: Tea gardens vulnerable to waterlogging and landslides

o   Towns Affected: Alipurduar town, Madarihat

o   Agricultural Impact: Tea crop damage likely

·       Cooch Behar District (Orange Alert)

o   Expected Rainfall: 10-15 centimeters

o   Risk Level: Moderate to high

o   Vulnerable Areas: Low-lying plains prone to waterlogging

·       North Dinajpur District (Orange Alert)

o   Expected Rainfall: 10-14 centimeters

o   Risk Level: Moderate to high

o   Flood Risk: Plain areas susceptible to flooding

The Bigger Picture: Climate Patterns and Monsoon Transition

This extreme rainfall event comes during the transitional period between monsoon and winter. Typically, November sees decreasing rainfall but Cyclone Montha’s remnants have disrupted this pattern, bringing monsoon-like intensity to the end of October and beginning of November.

·       Climate Significance

o   The increasing frequency of such extreme weather events during transition seasons has become a concerning pattern. Scientists attribute this to climate change impacts on the Indian Ocean’s sea surface temperatures and atmospheric circulation patterns.

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Emergency Preparedness: What Residents Should Do NOW

·       Immediate Actions (Before Friday Morning)

o   Stock up on drinking water and non-perishable food

o   Charge all electronic devices and batteries

o   Keep medicines and first-aid supplies ready

o   Inform elderly and vulnerable family members

o   Secure loose items outside homes

o   Keep emergency contact numbers handy

·       During The Rainfall (Friday-Saturday)

o   Stay indoors unless absolutely necessary

o   Avoid traveling on flooded roads

o   Do not go near rivers or streams

o   Keep away from electrical equipment

o   Monitor official weather updates

o   Follow administrative instructions for evacuation if issued

·       Post-Rainfall (Sunday Onwards)

o   Assess property damage

o   Follow health advisories (boil water before drinking)

o   Avoid contaminated water sources

o   Report infrastructure damage to authorities

o   Help neighbors in recovery efforts

Looking Ahead: Relief And Recovery

The Alipure Meteorological Observatory (IMD’s forecasting center for eastern India) has predicted that after Saturday, the weather system will continue moving northward, gradually transforming into a general low-pressure system. By early next week, weather conditions should return to normal.

However, the damage from this severe rainfall event could take weeks to repair. Roads may need reconstruction, communication lines may need restoration, and agricultural land may require rehabilitation.

·       Regional Support Systems

o   State disaster management authority activating relief protocols

o   NGOs positioning resources for post-disaster support

o   Community organizations preparing for community-level assistance

o   Media organizations monitoring and reporting on emergency response

Conclusion: A Region On Alert

North Bengal faces an extremely challenging 24-48 hours ahead. The red alert status is not issued lightly—it represents the highest level of meteorological warning. Every precaution, every preparation, and every piece of advice from authorities should be taken seriously.

The remnants of Cyclone Montha, while weakened in intensity, remain dangerous and concentrated in their rainfall potential. Residents must treat this period with utmost seriousness, follow administrative guidance, and support one another through the critical hours ahead.

By Monday morning, this dangerous system will have passed. But until then, North Bengal must remain vigilant, prepared, and united in facing this natural challenge.

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