In West Bengal, heavy rains on Sunday triggered a surge of landslides on the northern hills. At least 20 people were killed and many others were injured as mud and rock cascaded into villages, swept away homes, and blocked roads. The disaster left hundreds of tourists stranded in the Darjeeling hills.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local officials confirmed the death toll came from several spots – Sarsaly, Jasbirgaon, Mirik Basti, Dhar Gaon (Mechi), Nagrakata and the Mirik Lake area. In Mirik alone, forensic teams report 11 deaths and seven injured people were rescued. Darjeeling sustained seven fatalities, and rescue efforts continue under police, local administration and disaster‑response teams.
North Bengal Development Minister Udayan Guha said the death count was a “tragic loss” and warned that it could rise as more ground settles. “The toll is already 20 and it may increase,” he told reporters.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced financial help for victims, though she did not disclose exact amounts or the exact death count. She said she would visit North Bengal on Monday to gauge the situation. In a statement, she highlighted the impact of a sudden 300‑mm rainfall in 12 hours last night, the overflow of the Sankosh River, and rising waters from neighboring Bhutan and Sikkim that caused the calamity.
She described the damage: two iron bridges collapsed, many roads were washed out or rendered impassable, and large tracts of land in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar were submerged. She added that she has been monitoring the crisis 24/7, holding virtual meetings with officials, and will visit the affected zones with her Chief Secretary tomorrow.
Tourists in North Bengal were urged to stay put until police teams could safely evacuate them. “We will cover rescue costs. Tourists need not worry. We keep constant touch with the government and local NGOs to provide assistance,” Banerjee told travelling visitors.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences on X, saying, “I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives in Darjeeling. The situation is being closely monitored. We are committed to helping those affected.”
Rescue teams managed to lift about 40 people from debris in Dhar Gaon and Nagrakata, where mudslides obliterated many houses. Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari mentioned that the death toll could be 21, according to his sources.
Relief camps have sprung up jointly with NGOs and district officials, especially in Mirik. However, roads remain badly blocked. The road linking Siliguri to Mirik‑Darjeeling was damaged by a broken iron bridge, cutting off access to the region. The key national highway, NH 10, was washed out by rising Teesta River water, severing travel between West Bengal and Sikkim. Roads to Kalimpong and inside Darjeeling were also cut, forcing authorities to shut all tourist spots. Stuck visitors were told not to leave hotels.
The Met Office forecasts more heavy rain in North Bengal for the next two days – a development that could worsen rescue operations and disrupt transit. Multiple trains in the area were canceled or delayed as water clogged tracks. A rhino was also swept from its habitat in Gorumara National Park due to rising river levels.
For those visiting West Bengal’s hill stations, officials stress remaining in hotels and awaiting official clearance before moving. The situation remains fluid, with rescue and relief teams on high alert as weather forecasts predict further rainfall.
Source: Live
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