West Bengal’s Darjeeling Devastated by Deadly Landslides: 20 Killed, Dozens Trapped Amid Relentless Rains

West Bengal’s Darjeeling Devastated by Deadly Landslides: 20 Killed, Dozens Trapped Amid Relentless Rains
Jitendra Kumar
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Darjeeling, West Bengal — October 5, 2025
A natural catastrophe has struck the hill district of Darjeeling, where at least 20 people — including children — have died in a series of devastating landslides triggered by intense and prolonged rainfall. Entire families have been buried under rubble, bridges have collapsed, and communication lines have snapped, leaving large parts of the region isolated and inaccessible.

The torrential rains that began late Saturday night continued well into Sunday, causing hill slopes across the Mirik and Darjeeling subdivisions to cave in, sweeping away homes, vehicles, and anything that stood in the way. Officials fear the death toll may rise as search and rescue operations continue through unstable terrain and worsening weather.

The Deadly Night: Villages Washed Away

The worst-affected region appears to be the Mirik subdivision, where 11 people have been confirmed dead. Among the deceased are women and children, caught off guard as landslides crushed their homes in the early hours. In Darjeeling subdivision, seven more fatalities were reported, and two additional deaths occurred in nearby hill villages.

Rescue workers and villagers recount harrowing scenes — walls collapsing while people slept, children screaming as the earth gave way, and frantic searches for missing family members in rain-soaked mud.

One survivor from a tea garden settlement in Mirik described waking up to a “deafening roar” before realizing their house was sliding down the slope. “It was pitch dark. We grabbed the children and ran. But not everyone could make it,” he said, his voice choked with emotion.

Bridges Collapse, Roads Cut Off

The scale of infrastructure damage is staggering. Several key roads have been destroyed or rendered impassable. The Mirik–Sukhiapokhri road and Kurseong–Mirik route, essential for relief and evacuation, have suffered massive washouts.

A critical structure — the Dudia Iron Bridge, connecting Mirik and Kurseong — collapsed entirely under pressure from floodwaters and debris.

This collapse has cut off entire clusters of villages, delaying the arrival of rescue equipment and medical aid.

Tourists Trapped During Holiday Break

Darjeeling, a popular tourist destination, had been bustling with visitors during the Durga Puja holiday. Now, hundreds of tourists are stranded with no way to descend from the hills. Hotels and homestays have turned into makeshift shelters, and food supplies are running low in some areas. State authorities have urged tourists to stay indoors and avoid attempting travel until roads are cleared.

“I came to enjoy the holidays with my family, but we’ve been stuck in the hotel for two days with no power and barely any food,” said Priya Sen, a tourist from Kolkata. “We’re scared — we hear landslides nearby every few hours.”

Rescue Operations in Full Swing — But Hampered

Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), West Bengal Police, and state disaster management groups have been deployed. But efforts are slow due to blocked access and ongoing rain.

“We are using whatever means possible — bulldozers, ropes, manual digging — to reach affected zones,” said an NDRF officer stationed in Darjeeling. In many areas, rescue workers have to trek miles on foot, carrying stretchers and equipment over dangerous terrain.

Medical teams are on-site treating survivors for injuries including broken bones, deep lacerations, and exposure-related conditions like hypothermia. Helicopter sorties are being considered for supply drops in the most inaccessible villages, pending improvement in weather conditions.

Children Among the Dead and Missing

Tragically, many of the victims were children, some as young as four. In Mirik, three children from one family perished after their hillside home was flattened in seconds. Neighbors say they heard cries for help but couldn’t reach them in time due to the debris and darkness.

Several children remain unaccounted for, and their families are anxiously awaiting word as rescue efforts continue.

State Government Responds

The West Bengal government has announced emergency relief measures. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, currently facing criticism for attending Puja celebrations amid the crisis, expressed her condolences and ordered compensation for the victims’ families.

Emergency helplines have been set up for those seeking information or aid. Relief materials including food packets, bottled water, blankets, and medicine are being rushed to the hills, though delivery is slow due to terrain damage.

District authorities have begun evacuating high-risk zones and are using loudspeakers to warn residents of potential secondary landslides.

Meteorological Warnings Continue

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Darjeeling and neighboring hill districts, warning of “extremely heavy rainfall” over the next 48 hours.

Experts warn that with slopes already saturated and cracked, even moderate rainfall could trigger more landslides. Geologists have also warned of “cascading slope failures” — where one landslide destabilizes adjacent slopes — particularly in unplanned urban zones and poorly maintained roads.

A Region at Risk

This latest tragedy has once again raised serious concerns about disaster preparedness and the environmental fragility of the Darjeeling hills. Deforestation, unregulated construction, and poor drainage infrastructure have long been blamed for increasing the frequency and severity of landslides.

Locals are calling for stricter land use planning, better early warning systems, and long-term investment in slope stabilization and drainage infrastructure.

“There are no alarms, no warning systems. Every year we see landslides, and every year we are left to fend for ourselves,” said a resident of Nagri Tea Estate.

Looking Ahead

As rescue workers continue to comb through mud and wreckage in search of survivors, the full extent of the tragedy is only beginning to unfold. Many families have lost everything — loved ones, homes, livelihoods — and face an uncertain future.

The state and central governments are under pressure to not only respond to the immediate emergency but to implement long-term measures to prevent such disasters from repeating.

For now, Darjeeling mourns — battered by rain, burdened by loss, and bracing for what may yet come.

Journalist Details

Jitendra Kumar
Jitendra Kumar is an Indian journalist and social activist from Hathras in Uttar Pradesh is known as the senior journalist and founder of Xpert Times Network Private Limited.