Devastating Landslides in Darjeeling Claim Over 20 Lives

DARJEELING (West Bengal) At least 20 people, including children and women, have been killed in a series of massive landslides triggered by relentless heavy rainfall across West Bengal’s Darjeeling district, officials reported today. The disaster has flattened homes, collapsed key infrastructure, and isolated remote villages, with rescue operations underway amid ongoing downpours and warnings of further slides.

The landslides struck primarily in the Mirik and Sukhia Pokhri areas late Saturday night into Sunday morning, sweeping away residences and blocking vital roads connecting Darjeeling to Siliguri and Sikkim. A major iron bridge at Dudhia collapsed, severing links to the foothills and exacerbating the crisis by cutting off access to affected hamlets.

National Highway 10 (NH10) and NH717A remain obstructed by debris and overflowing rivers like the Teesta, stranding hundreds of tourists and locals while disrupting toy train services and closing popular sites such as Tiger Hill and Rock Garden.

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the situation as “grave” and announced she would visit the region on October 6 to assess the damage and oversee relief efforts. She pledged compensation for victims, though specifics were not detailed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences, stating authorities are monitoring the area and committed to providing all possible assistance, with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams deployed for rescues.

President Droupadi Murmu and Union Home Minister Amit Shah also conveyed sympathies, while local leaders like Darjeeling MP Raju Bista mobilized BJP workers for aid distribution.

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for sub-Himalayan West Bengal, including Darjeeling and Kalimpong, forecasting extremely heavy rain until October 6, raising fears of additional landslides, flash floods, and road blockages due to saturated soil in the fragile hilly terrain.

Immediate relief includes food, water, shelter, and medical aid, with Siliguri Municipal Corporation Mayor Gautam Deb coordinating support in nearby Jalpaiguri.

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Opposition voices, including West Bengal BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya, criticized the state government for inadequate preparedness, noting the lack of response from disaster management teams despite prior warnings. Reports also indicate cross-border impact, with five Nepali citizens among the deceased near the Indo-Nepal border at Maneybhanjyang, where Indian forces assisted in recoveries.

The death toll, varying between 18 and 23 across reports, is expected to rise as search efforts continue in challenging conditions. Darjeeling’s vulnerability to such events, exacerbated by deforestation and steep slopes, underscores the need for enhanced early warning systems and infrastructure resilience in the region.