06 Oct 2022 | 01:42 PM UTC
India: Disruptions due to flooding ongoing in parts of Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal State, as of Oct. 6
Disruptions due to flooding ongoing in parts of West Bengal State, India, Oct. 6. Fatalities reported; further severe weather forecast.
Event
Disruptions due to flooding are ongoing across parts of Jalpaiguri District in northern West Bengal State as of Oct. 6. Hundreds of worshippers had gathered along the banks of the Mal River for the Durga Visarjan religious festival when heavy rainfall late Oct. 5 caused the river to rise rapidly. Dozens of people were swept away by the flash flooding and authorities have reported at least eight fatalities and 13 injuries. Authorities rescued around seventy people and an unknown number of people remain missing. Rescue operations are ongoing as of Oct. 6 and disruptions are likely to continue in the area whilst emergency personnel carry out response operations.
Further adverse weather is forecast in the region over the coming days and further downpours could trigger additional flooding in affected areas, as well as hamper ongoing response operations. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued yellow (the lowest level on a three-tier scale) heavy rainfall warnings across Jalpaiguri District through at least Oct. 8. Authorities will likely issue new alerts or update/rescind existing advisories as weather conditions change over the coming days.
Hazardous Conditions
Further heavy rainfall could trigger additional flooding in low-lying communities near rivers, streams, and creeks. Urban flooding is also possible in developed areas with easily overwhelmed stormwater drainage systems. Sites downstream from large reservoirs or rivers may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Landslides are possible in hilly or mountainous areas, especially where heavy rainfall has saturated the soil.
Authorities could issue mandatory evacuation orders for flood-prone communities over the coming days. Disruptions to electricity and telecommunications services are possible where significant flooding or landslides impact utility networks.
Transport
Floodwaters and debris flows may render some bridges and roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in and around affected areas. Ponding on road surfaces could cause hazardous driving conditions on regional highways. Authorities could temporarily close some low-lying routes that become inundated by floodwaters. Severe weather could also trigger flight delays and cancellations at airports in the affected region.
Localized business disruptions may occur in low-lying areas; some businesses might not operate at full capacity because of flood damage to facilities, possible evacuations, and some employees' inability to reach work sites.
Health
Flooding could heighten the threat of disease outbreaks. Backflow from drains mixed with floodwaters can become trapped in open areas when inundations recede. These stagnant pools often become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and bacteria, increasing the incidence of insect- and water-borne diseases. Exposure to contaminated water from inundated industrial sites, sewer systems, and septic tanks also poses a significant health threat.
Advice
Monitor local media for updated emergency and weather information. Seek updated information on weather and road conditions before driving or routing shipments through areas where severe weather is forecast. Plan accordingly for potential freight delivery delays if routing shipments through the affected area. Do not attempt to drive through flooded areas. Confirm flights. Charge battery-powered devices in case prolonged electricity outages occur.
