At least 20 people have died and several injured as heavy rainfall causes landslides across Darjeeling and Mirik hills in West Bengal. Homes were swept away, roads damaged, and communication lines cut off. PM Modi, HM Amit Shah, and CM Mamata Banerjee are monitoring the situation
Indian Army involved in rescue ops in Dharali area. PIC/X@prodefkohima
At least 20 people died and several others injured as incessant heavy rainfall triggered multiple landslides across the Mirik and Darjeeling hills in the northern part of West Bengal on Sunday, sweeping away homes, damaging roads and cutting off several remote hamlets, officials said.
According to reports from the NDRF and the district administration, fatalities were reported from several locations — Sarsaly, Jasbirgaon, Mirik Basti, Dhar Gaon (Mechi), Nagrakata and Mirik Lake area. NDRF said 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. “Seven deaths have been reported due to a major landslide in Darjeeling subdivision triggered by heavy rainfall since last night. The rescue and relief work is on,” Darjeeling Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Richard Lepcha said.
Dudia Iron Bridge collapsed due to heavy rainfall. PIC/X@airnewskurseong
At least 40 people were rescued from the debris in Dhar Gaon, Nagarakata, where heavy mudslides flattened several houses. The landslides disrupted traffic movement on key routes, including the Mirik-Sukhiapokhri road, while communication lines to several hilltop settlements were snapped. According to the NDRF, road connectivity remains severely disrupted in Darjeeling district and North Sikkim, and an iron bridge connecting Siliguri with the Mirik-Darjeeling route has been damaged, cutting off access to the region.
PM mnitoring situation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi 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.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Deeply pained by the loss of lives due to a bridge mishap in Darjeeling. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The situation in Darjeeling and surrounding areas is being closely monitored in the wake of heavy rains and landslides. We are committed to providing all possible assistance to those affected.”
Shah expresses grief
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday expressed grief over the loss of lives in Darjeeling due to heavy rains and said teams of the National Disaster Response Force have been deployed, with more troops on standby if needed.
The Home Minister said that he also spoke to Darjeeling MP Raju Bista and took stock of the situation there. “Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives in Darjeeling due to heavy rains. My thoughts are with the people who lost their loved ones. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Shah said in a post on X.
CM Mamata to visit region today
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced compensation for the victims without specifying the amount and the number of deaths and said she would visit the rain-affected region on October 6 to assess the situation. The CM said she will visit North Bengal on Monday to assess the situation and is currently monitoring developments from the control room at the state secretariat Nabanna.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
Banerjee described the situation as “grave” and expressed grief over the incident. “We are deeply saddened. I held virtual meetings with officials of five affected districts along with the chief secretary. I have been monitoring the situation since 6 am,” she said. The CM assured that the state government would make arrangements to bring back safely the thousands of tourists which have been She also appealed to tourists not to panic or rush to leave.
“Many tourists are stranded. I request them not to hurry. Please stay where you are. Hotels must not overcharge them. Their safety is our responsibility, and the administration will ensure that,” the Chief Minister said.
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