Bus services resume in flood-hit Bengal

Bus services to and from northern West Bengal, which is reeling under floods, resumed on Thursday even as the situation continued to be "serious" in certain districts, a minister said.

"Bus services have resumed today (Thursday). At least 24 buses are plying on the route from Malda, Raiganj, Siliguri, Kolkata etc. However, train services remain disrupted," State Tourism Minister Goutam Deb said.

Twelve deaths were reported till Tuesday in the region due to the floods.

Deb said the situation in two worst-hit districts of Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri has improved over the last 24 hours.

"But the condition is serious in Balurghat (South Dinajpur), Malda among others," he added.

Vast areas, including Raiganj, were under knee-deep water in North Dinajpur district with the Teesta river flowing above the extreme danger level.

Railway services in north Bengal and northeast India remained suspended on Wednesday as the flood waters were flowing over the rail tracks at several places.

Several trains, including Uttarbanga Express and Kanchankanya Express, from Howrah, Sealdah and Kolkata to north Bengal have been cancelled. Trains to Assam's Dibrugarh have also been cancelled.

--IANS

sgh/amit/dg