Darjeeling: The Indian Meteorological Department on Monday changed the "Red warning" to "Orange" as the intensity of rains receded. The flood situation in Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri improved with water levels in some rivers coming down. However ,the situation deteriorated in South Dinajpur district. There was a rise in water levels in the Atreyi, Punarbhaba and Tangan rivers in South Dinajpur. In the Alipurduar districts sadar area water receded considerably bringing relief to around 20,000 people who had been affected. Water also receded from the tea gardens in the Malbazar Kumargram area. Water-levels have receded in the Sankosh, Raidak, Kaljani, Jayanti, Pana, Dima, Basra, Mujnai and other rivers flowing through Alipurduar district. The irrigation department in the Alipurduar district claimed that water is not flowing above the danger mark in any river in the district since Sunday night. The irrigation department is repairing breached embankments on a war footing. Road connectivity between Alipurduar and Falakata had been disrupted on Sunday. The Chartorsa diversion has also been affected. "Light vehicles have started to ply on this diversion. The Highway authorities have assured that during monsoons they will repair damages to this diversion on a priority basis," stated Supratik Majumdar, BDO, Falakata. Water has also receded in the river Torsa. However owing to erosion of the banks of the river at Jaigaon on the borders of Bhutan more than 50 houses have been affected at Sukrabustee. Around 3 houses have been submerged in the river. Flood situation improved in Jalpaiguri also with waters receding in Teesta, Jaldhaka and Karala rivers. However, some areas of the district still remains inundated. Domohona area of Maynaguri, Baragharia in Dhupguri along with contiguous areas still remained flooded. Stretches of the NH-31 remain inundated. In the Baragharia area in Dhupguri, residents protested by setting up roadblocks. Heavy rains in South Dinajpur since Sunday night has resulted in the rise in water levels in the rivers reaching the danger mark. Balurghat remains flooded owing to heavy rains. Tourism Minister Gautam Deb visited Binnaguri and Banarhat areas on Monday along with MLA Mitali Rai. The area has been inundated owing to the Hatinala. The Minister inspected the ongoing work on the repairs along the Hatinala in Banarhat. The situation has worsened owing to illegal encroachments along Hatinala. The Minister stated that after August 15 he would visit the area and talk to the encroachers regarding rehabilitation. Irrigation Minister Shubhendu Adhikari is also visiting North Bengal to take stock of the flood situation. In the Hills, the 32 Mile area on the NH-10 witnessed fresh landslide in the morning damaging a vehicle. However, the debris and the vehicle was removed thereby reopening the road. The IMD has downgraded the Red warning to Orange in North Bengal for July 16. Darjeeling witnessed 21.9 mm of rain, Kalimpong 51.8 mm, Kurseong 22.2 mm and Siliguri 44.7 mm in the last 24 hours. On Sunday, Bimal Sil, a man in his early 40s had fallen into an overflowing gutter while trying to cross a flooded stretch in Shanupara, Jalpaiguri and had died.

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