On Sunday, Darjeeling, a picturesque hill district in West Bengal, experienced one of the worst landslides in a decade due to relentless rainfall. The calamity spread into Jalpaiguri, causing massive losses. At least 23 lives, including those of children, were lost, and many were injured. Homes were swept away, roads were choked with mud, and villages were left without contact. Hundreds of tourists remained stranded.
Which Areas Were Worst Affected?
The hardest-hit regions include Mirik, with 11 confirmed deaths, making it the epicenter, followed by other parts of Darjeeling such as Jorebunglow, Sukia Pokhri, and Sadar Police Station areas, which reported seven fatalities. In the Nagrakata subdivision of Jalpaiguri, five bodies were found among the rubble. The Darjeeling hill region, sometimes known as the “Queen of the Hills,” has had 35 recorded landslides, according to the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local authorities.
How Severe Is the Situation?
Officials describe the current landslides as the worst since 2015, which saw 40 deaths. Numerous entire slopes have collapsed, key routes like the Mirik-Sukhiapokhri road are completely blocked, and major highways lie buried under thick layers of mud. In order to further isolate the impacted districts, the NDRF reported significant road connectivity disruption, including damage to a crucial iron bridge that connected Siliguri to Mirik and Darjeeling.
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What Has Been the Impact on Tourists?
Hundreds of tourists, largely from Kolkata, Howrah, and Hooghly, flocked to the hill stations of Mirik, Ghoom, and Lepchajagat for the Durga Puja holidays. Torrential rains since Saturday night trapped them indoors, cutting off easy access and creating an urgent rescue and relief challenge.
How Has the State Government Responded?
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee convened an emergency meeting at the state secretariat, Nabanna. She announced that she will personally visit North Bengal on Monday, October 6, to assess on-ground damage. CM Banerjee described the situation as “grave” and attributed it to continuous rains from Bhutan, which led to water overflowing into North Bengal. Over 300 mm of rain fell in just 12 hours, causing floods and landslides at seven sites so far.
Prime Minister’s Assuarance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences via his social media platform X, stating he was deeply pained by the loss of lives. He reassured the public that the central government was closely monitoring the evolving situation and offered prayers for the injured and bereaved.
What Does the Weather Forecast Say?
Alerts for very heavy rainfall in the sub-Himalayan region, including Darjeeling and Kalimpong, are in effect through October 6 according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Darjeeling is on an orange warning, while Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri districts are under a red alert. The IMD has also warned about further landslides and road blockages due to already saturated soil conditions.
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Are Neighboring Regions Affected?
Heavy rainfall has also battered Nepal, which borders Darjeeling. Nepal has faced landslides and flash floods in the preceding 24 hours, resulting in 52 deaths. Meanwhile, rescuers guided hundreds of trekkers trapped by a blizzard near the eastern face of Mount Everest in Tibet to safety, Chinese state media reported.
Disclaimer: This report is based on verified government and news agency sources. The situation remains fluid with ongoing rescue and relief operations. Updates may follow as new information emerges.
