Darjeeling has been hit hard by a week‑long monsoon, turning the hills into a maze of mud, twisted roads, and broken bridges. The heavy rainfall and landslides in the region have caused dozens of injuries and several deaths, leaving families and rescue teams in a frantic race to help trapped residents.
TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee took to the social‑media platform X to share his shock and concern. “I hear the devastation caused by relentless rain and landslides in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri,” he wrote on October 5. He added that relief teams from the State Disaster Management Department, the Darjeeling district administration and local volunteers are already on the ground, working tirelessly to rescue survivors and clear blocked roads. “My heart goes out to the bereaved families,” Banerjee said, urging field volunteers to keep the community supported with compassion and solidarity.
The worst‑hit towns are Mirik, Jorebunglow‑Sukhiapokhri and Falakata, where mudslides have blocked major roads and destroyed homes. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed to the area, conducting search-and-rescue operations and helping to clear debris. In Mirik, officials say they must evacuate thousands of tourists within a few hours, using the Tindharia road to move people safely.
Officials also reported that the Siliguri‑Darjeeling State Highway 12, a key route linking the city of Siliguri with the hill station, is partially blocked. A large section of the Dudhia iron bridge collapsed under constant rain, forcing police to restrict vehicular movement. Hermann, the police spokesperson for Kurseong, confirmed that 7 bodies have already been recovered from the Kurseong road landslide, with two more missing and the search ongoing.
President Droupadi Murmu also weighed in, expressing deep sorrow for the victims in a bridge mishap that caused a number of fatalities. She offered condolences to the families, prayed for a speedy recovery for the injured, and urged continued support for rescue efforts.
The Indian disaster response has conducted fast‑track investigations into why the roads and infrastructure failed under the storm. Residents can expect continued search and relief operations into the weekend, with authorities urging caution for anyone still stranded in the hills and the surrounding towns.
For the affected communities in Darjeeling and neighboring districts, the message from Banerjee – “You are not alone” – rings especially true as rescue teams work to bring stability back to the battered region.
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