Tourists Continue to Visit North Bengal Despite Heavy Weather Disruptions

Monsoon is still at its peak in certain areas of India and Bengal is one of them. But despite the fact tourists continue to flock to Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Dooars, the northern parts of Bengal. Tourists continue to visit these places despite the bad weather, heavy rainfall and several landslides. 

In a recent report it has been found that bookings remain firm with few cancellations in Dooars due to heavy flooding. This improvement is due the better management of traffic movements, special bus services (from Siliguri to various destinations, including Kolkata) and a dedicated helpline number 914799078, providing assistance to the visitors stranded in these weather affected regions. There are still forecasts for light to moderate rainfall in the area for the next few days. 

Though there were several instances of landslides that affected the traffic movement in these areas, the spontaneous actions by the officials and local authorities ensured the safety and security of tourists. This further supported the significant rise in visitors to these places.

As per the data from West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDC), there have been almost nil or fewer cancellations in Kalimpong and Darjeeling. However, the low-lying areas such as forested Dooars and Terai areas remain flooded and have seen a higher rate of room cancellations in hotels and homestays.

Observing high rainfall, landslides and flooding, officials were expecting mass cancellations but to their surprise tourists continued visiting these areas in higher numbers. As per the official statements, traffic movement from Darjeeling is routed via NH-55 while Pankhabari road is open from Kurseong to Siliguri. Reports also suggested that maximum cancellations from the areas such as Mirik, Bijanbari and Sukhia in Darjeeling district as these places were affected by the landslides and floods.

There has been almost no rainfall in the past few days in Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Kalimpong. However, Cooch Behar and Alipurduar received significant amounts of rainfall during this period.

Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts suggest that there will be light to moderate rain in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar for the next couple of days.