West Bengal Rains: Bridge Collapses in North Bengal, One Child Dies in Alipurduar
Heavy rains across West Bengal on Friday (June 19, 2026) caused one death in Alipurduar district and damaged infrastructure in north Bengal, including a bridge that was washed away between Mirik and Darjeeling. The Teesta River is rising, and flood alerts remain in place for northern districts. Kolkata and surrounding areas experienced waterlogging and traffic disruptions.
State Minister for Public Works, Mr Adhikari, said the bridge that collapsed was built about eight months ago, replacing the earlier Dudhia bridge that was destroyed in flash floods in October 2025. A temporary bridge had been constructed beside the old one. Mr Adhikari stated that while immediate priority is restoring normalcy, an investigation into the construction quality will be conducted. He noted that heavy water pressure from mountain gushing can damage structures regardless.
The casualty reported was a four-year-old child in a tea estate in Alipurduar. The government announced a compensation of ₹4 lakh for the family.
The Teesta River is running slightly above danger levels in Cooch Behar district. Landslides on National Highway 10 were cleared within hours. Authorities from central and state disaster management agencies, along with local MLAs and MPs, remain on high alert.
In Kolkata, areas such as C.R. Avenue, Behala, Ballygunge, Salt Lake, Sector V, and Dum Dum faced severe waterlogging. The rain disrupted normal life, with schools closed and traffic slowed. Waterlogging was also reported inside the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, affecting patients and staff. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation activated its control room to manage the situation.
The India Meteorological Department has issued red and orange alerts for parts of north Bengal and orange and yellow alerts for Kolkata and south Bengal. Rain is expected to continue through Tuesday, June 23.
