West Bengal

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Siliguri, June 10: The arrival of the monsoon brought intense rainfall to Siliguri on Tuesday night, leading to widespread waterlogging across several parts of the city and causing severe inconvenience to residents. The heavy downpour submerged roads and residential areas, while a tragic incident near Khaprail More claimed the life of a young motorcyclist after his bike reportedly fell into a large water-filled pit created for an ongoing four-lane road project.

Continuous rainfall throughout the night left several localities under water, with residents facing major difficulties in commuting and carrying out daily activities. Areas including Baghajatin Colony, Pradhannagar, and large parts of Champasari witnessed significant water accumulation, highlighting concerns over the city’s drainage infrastructure.

Complaints from residents mounted, BJP workers reportedly visited Ward No. 46 during the night following instructions from local MLA Shankar Ghosh. Efforts were initiated to drain out the accumulated water, and an earthmover was brought to the area to improve water discharge. Local residents expressed anger and frustration over what they described as inadequate drainage arrangements, claiming that waterlogging has become a recurring problem during the monsoon season.

Tragic discovery early Wednesday morning sent shockwaves through the Siliguri region. Passersby noticed a motorcycle submerged in a large pit filled with rainwater near Khaprail More, an area adjacent to the city. The pit had reportedly been dug as part of ongoing construction work related to a four-lane road project.

Suspecting that someone might have fallen into the water, local people immediately alerted the police and fire services. Rescue personnel rushed to the spot and launched a search operation inside the rainwater-filled excavation site. During the operation, firefighters recovered the body of a young man from beneath the water.

The discovery triggered widespread concern among local residents, who questioned whether adequate safety measures had been put in place around the construction zone. Many pointed out that heavy rainfall had completely submerged the pit, making it difficult for commuters and motorists to identify the danger during the night.

Authorities have not yet been able to establish the identity of the deceased. Police have begun an investigation into the incident and are working to determine how the motorcycle entered the pit and whether the victim lost control of the vehicle due to poor visibility and waterlogging.

The body has been sent for post-mortem examination, while officials continue efforts to identify the victim and inform his family. The incident has once again raised serious concerns about road safety, construction-site management, and the risks posed by waterlogged roads during the monsoon season.

Siliguri experiences the first major spell of monsoon rain, residents are urging authorities to take immediate measures to improve drainage systems and ensure proper safety precautions around ongoing infrastructure projects to prevent similar tragedies in the future.