At least 20 people have died, including children, and numerous others have been injured due to heavy rains that have caused significant landslides in the Mirik and Darjeeling hills of West Bengal on Sunday. Officials report that homes were destroyed, roads were cut off, and hundreds of tourists found themselves stranded as emergency responders scrambled to manage the situation.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and district authorities have mobilized rescue operations in the areas most affected. Udayan Guha, the North Bengal development minister, described the situation as “alarming,” reporting a current death toll of 20 that is expected to rise as rescue efforts continue. He is on his way to the affected regions.
Mirik has been particularly hard-hit, with 11 fatalities confirmed. Seven injured individuals have been rescued from areas impacted by landslides, while several homes were buried under mud and debris.
In Darjeeling, seven fatalities have been reported from the landslides that followed the persistent rainfall. Richard Lepcha, the sub-divisional officer in Darjeeling, stated that rescue operations are ongoing with support from police and local administration.
Reports of fatalities and damage have surfaced from various locations, including Sarsaly, Jasbirgaon, Mirik Basti, Dhar Gaon, Nagrakata, and the Mirik Lake area, underscoring the widespread impact of the disaster.
Many tourists, including families visiting for Durga Puja celebrations, have been stranded in popular hill stations like Mirik, Ghoom, and Lepchajagat due to the severe weather.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences in a social media post, affirming that the situation is being closely monitored and that assistance will be provided to affected families. He acknowledged a tragic loss of life linked to a bridge mishap in Darjeeling and wished for a swift recovery for the injured.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee classified the situation as “grave” and announced that her government will offer compensation to victims. She is scheduled to visit North Bengal on October 6 to assess the damage firsthand. Banerjee noted that the torrential rain had originated from Bhutan, leading to overflowing waters in North Bengal.
The NDRF has reported that 40 individuals were rescued in Dhar Gaon, where multiple homes were destroyed by mudslides. Relief camps have been established, and families living in high-risk areas have been relocated to safer locations.
Several critical routes, including the Mirik-Sukhiapokhri road, have been blocked by landslides, disrupting communication to numerous hilltop settlements. An iron bridge that connects Siliguri to the Mirik-Darjeeling route has also sustained damage, isolating the region further.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for sub-Himalayan West Bengal, including Darjeeling and Kalimpong, cautioning of further landslides and road disruptions due to saturated soil conditions.
Rescue operations are being hindered by continuous rain and treacherous terrain, making it difficult for disaster response teams to reach affected areas. Local NGOs and district administration are also engaged in providing relief to displaced families.
