Google News Preferred Source on Google News Indian Republic Logo

Darjeeling Devastation: Torrential Rains Trigger Deadly Landslides, Stranding Thousands Across Himalayan Foothills

Edited by IndianRepublic.in - Location: Bridge, Mirik, West Bengal 734214, India

Darjeeling and the wider North Bengal region have been brought to a standstill as torrential rains have triggered catastrophic landslides, washed away bridges, and left at least 18 people dead with many more feared missing. 

The devastation spread rapidly across the hills and adjoining plains. It has severed access to multiple regions and stranding tourists, residents, and entire villages in a disaster that has exposed the region’s acute infrastructural vulnerability.

Authorities say the death toll is likely to rise; Image Source: Chat News Hub
Heavy rainfall since Saturday night caused hill slopes to give way in key transit areas including Dilaram, Rohini, Whistle Khola, and Pulbazar, destroying homes and paralysing movement. One of the worst incidents occurred near Mirik, where the collapse of a bridge killed nine people and cut off entire clusters of villages. 

Several other casualties were reported from Sukhiapokhri and isolated hill communities. In many locations, roads linking Darjeeling to Siliguri and Kalimpong have been rendered completely impassable. 

Authorities say the death toll is likely to rise as operations continue in unstable terrain, with some areas still unreachable by emergency teams due to blocked routes and collapsed infrastructure.

Local administration and West Bengal Police confirmed that multiple routes— including the crucial Darjeeling-Siliguri corridor via Hill Cart Road and National Highway 10—have either been shut down or restricted due to continued landslides. 

The Rohini Road remains severely damaged, and a large section of the Dudhia iron bridge collapsed, further severing access to Mirik. Additional reports indicated extensive structural damage to the Pulbazar bridge, isolating communities in Bijanbari and Thanaline. 

Earthmovers and rescue vehicles have struggled to reach some of the worst-hit areas due to the instability of the terrain and continued rainfall. 

Darjeeling’s Superintendent of Police confirmed that restoration work is ongoing at key blockage points but warned that some alternate routes may take days to reopen.

The West Bengal government confirmed that three teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed from Darjeeling, Siliguri, and Alipurduar. 

Two more teams from Malda and Kolkata are en route. Rescue and relief work is being led by NDRF personnel in coordination with district officials and local police. 

Thousands of tourists trapped across Darjeeling and Kalimpong have been advised to stay indoors as evacuations are planned via the Tindharia route, the only one currently deemed safe for light vehicles.

In parallel, the Darjeeling region is witnessing an escalating wildlife crisis. Widespread flooding in low-lying areas such as Jaldapara National Park and Gorumara has displaced several animals. Forest officials reported sightings of rhinos, deer, and elephants struggling in swollen rivers. 

Two rhinos were seen swept away in the Torsa River while dozens of elephants were spotted near village edges, unable to return to the forest due to the rising water levels. 

Forest workers and disaster teams are attempting rescue and relocation where possible, but accessibility remains limited. 

Similar flooding has been reported in Kalimpong, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar, with early reports of human-wildlife conflict emerging due to the displacement.

The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for extreme rainfall in the sub-Himalayan districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, and Cooch Behar, warning of further landslides and flash floods. 

Rivers including the Teesta, Mahananda, Jaldhaka, and Torsa have surged beyond danger levels, prompting urgent evacuations from low-lying settlements. Areas in Siliguri, including Porajhar and Fulbari, have been submerged after the Mahananda Canal breached its banks. In Teestabazar, water levels rose so quickly that multiple roads were washed away within hours.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed concern over the scale of the disaster and confirmed that she would visit the region on October 6 with her Chief Secretary to oversee relief efforts. The government has activated 24x7 control rooms at state and district levels and issued helpline numbers for stranded individuals. 

Rescue teams have set up temporary shelters and relief camps to provide food, medical aid, and emergency accommodation to displaced families. The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration has suspended all tourist operations across the hills until further notice, citing public safety concerns.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also acknowledged the crisis and extended condolences to the bereaved families, confirming that the central government is monitoring the situation and will provide all necessary assistance.

Neighbouring Nepal is facing a parallel tragedy. In the eastern hill district of Ilam, at least 51 people have died in rain-triggered landslides and flash floods over the past 24 hours. 

The government of Nepal has deployed security forces across all affected areas as rivers overflowed into settlements in the Kathmandu Valley and other flood-prone regions. India has offered assistance to Nepal, with Prime Minister Modi affirming that India stands with its neighbor in this time of distress.

Back in Bengal, railway services have been severely disrupted. The Northeast Frontier Railway cancelled multiple trains connecting Siliguri, Alipurduar, and Assam, and has rerouted others via safer paths. The iron bridge collapse in Dudhia and damage to the Dudhiyah-Mirik connector have halted movement of goods and emergency supplies. 

Meanwhile, tea gardens in remote areas of Kurseong and Mirik have been severely affected, with some worker settlements destroyed in the landslides.

Multiple wildlife incidents have been reported due to flash floods— including drowned leopards, deer, bison, and rhinos—as forest areas turned into flowing rivers overnight. Officials in Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri are working to relocate wildlife that have wandered into human settlements or are stranded on riverbanks.

With saturated soil, a saturated administration, and no break in the weather forecast, officials remain on high alert. Engineers warn that further landslides are almost inevitable if rainfall continues, especially in regions where prior infrastructure was already compromised by erosion or aging. 

Local governments are urging people not to travel unless absolutely necessary and are focusing on restoring basic connectivity and power.

This is a developing story.

Loading... Loading IST...
KNOW INDIA
View →
🌍 MULTIPOLAR MOVEMENT TRACKER ON
Loading headlines...

Loading Top Trends...

WORLD-EXCLUSIVE

Scanning sources...

🔦 Newsroom Feed

    🔗 View Source
    Font Replacer Active
    ABOUT US CONTACT US PRIVACY POLICY TERMS & CONDITIONS INDIAN DIPLOMACY PARLIAMENT SESSION POTUS TRUMP KREMLIN ALERTS LOP RAHUL GANDHI PM NARENDRA MODI