20 Dead As Heavy Rain Triggers Landslide In Darjeeling
Hundreds of tourists, who had flocked to the Darjeeling hills to enjoy Durga Puja and post-Puja festivities, have been left stranded as heavy rainfall triggered massive landslides.
Torrential rains caused severe flooding and massive landslides across north Bengal, leading to at least 20 deaths in Darjeeling district.
Road connection between West Bengal and Sikkim had also been cut off due to multiple landslides, and the main highway linking Darjeeling and Siliguri remains blocked.
According to reports compiled by the NDRF and the district administration, fatalities were reported from several locations — Sarsaly, Jasbirgaon, Mirik Basti, Dhar Gaon (Mechi), Nagrakata and Mirik Lake area.
North Bengal Development Minister Udayan Guha told news agency PTI that the situation was "alarming". "As of now the death toll is 20. It is likely to go up. I am on my way to the area," he said.
According to the NDRF statement, at least 11 people have died in Mirik, the worst affected area in the landslide, and seven injured have been rescued from the area.
In Darjeeling, seven people died and the rescue operations were underway with the help of police, local administration and disaster response teams.
Hundreds of tourists, who had flocked to the Darjeeling hills to enjoy Durga Puja and post-Puja festivities, have been left stranded as heavy rainfall triggered massive landslides, according to PTI.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she would visit the region on Monday to assess the situation.
Banerjee said more than 300 mm of rainfall occurred in just 12 hours, causing severe flooding and landslides across at least seven locations. "There was simultaneously excessive flow of water into Sankosh river and generally flow of river waters from Bhutan and Sikkim."
The report notes that NH-10 is blocked at several locations, including Chitrey and Selfie Dara, while NH-717A is being cleared.
The Kalimpong–Darjeeling route via Teesta Bazar is shut after flooding near Rabijhora, and connectivity through Coronation Bridge has been snapped.
Police have advised commuters to use the Lava–Gorubathan stretch in Kalimpong as an alternative route.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed condolences over the deaths and said the situation in Darjeeling and surrounding areas is being closely monitored in the wake of heavy rains and landslides.
The India Meteorological Department had issued a red alert for several districts of Sikkim, warning of heavy to very heavy rain, lightning, and gusty winds.
An updated orange alert remains in force from 6:40 a.m. onwards as ominous weather persists over the region, with the IMD advising people to remain in safe places and avoid travel through landslide-prone areas.
According to the IMD in Gangtok, “light to moderate thunderstorms accompanied by moderate to heavy rain and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph” are expected to continue across Gangtok, Gyalshing, Mangan, Namchi, Pakyong, and Soreng districts.
Residents in these areas have been advised to stay indoors and avoid travel in low-lying or landslide-prone zones.
The risk of flash floods will remain, with officials expecting rains to continue until Oct. 7.
In light of the torrential rain in the region, the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration has shut all major tourist spots in Darjeeling, including Tiger Hill.
(With PTI Inputs)
