At least 20 people, including several children, have lost their lives after relentless rainfall triggered multiple landslides across West Bengal’s Darjeeling hills over the weekend, leaving behind widespread destruction and panic among residents and tourists. The torrential downpour, which dumped more than 300 mm of rain in 12 hours in parts of the district, loosened soil and caused massive slope failures in areas such as Mirik, Sukhiapokhri, Jorebunglow, and Kurseong. Entire stretches of hillside crumbled, burying homes and blocking crucial road links to interior villages. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), state agencies, and local volunteers have been working nonstop to rescue survivors trapped under debris and restore access to areas cut off by mud and rockslides. Many roads and bridges connecting the hills to the plains have collapsed, leaving tourists stranded at several spots, while the iconic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway service was suspended after tracks were damaged near Kurseong. Officials confirmed that the death toll had risen to 24 by Monday morning, with several others missing and dozens injured, as continuous rainfall hampered ongoing rescue work. Mirik, one of the worst-affected zones, reported double-digit fatalities, while nearby regions like Jorebunglow and Sukhiapokhri also suffered significant losses. In Jalpaiguri, on the foothills, additional landslides were reported, adding to the toll. Thousands of displaced people are taking refuge in makeshift camps set up by the district administration and the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, where they are receiving food, water, and medical aid. Rescue operations have been particularly difficult due to poor visibility, collapsed communication lines, and unstable terrain that continues to threaten further slides. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed deep grief over the tragedy and announced that she would visit the region to assess the situation, assuring compensation and full support to affected families. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed condolences and directed central agencies to assist with rescue and relief efforts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for continued heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, and Cooch Behar districts, warning that more landslides could occur as the soil remains heavily saturated. Meanwhile, several tourist groups have been rescued from remote areas, with authorities even using elephants to cross washed-out routes in rare and desperate measures. Local NGOs and community groups have joined hands with officials to distribute food, blankets, and medicines to stranded residents, while many locals have volunteered to help dig through debris in search of survivors. The damage to infrastructure has been severe, with roads, bridges, schools, and tea estates suffering extensive losses. Experts have cautioned that unplanned construction, deforestation, and fragile slope management have intensified the region’s vulnerability to such disasters, calling for stricter regulations and long-term mitigation measures. The state government has begun surveying affected areas to assess economic losses, expected to run into crores. For many residents, the tragedy unfolded suddenly, with several describing how entire homes were swept away within seconds of the hill giving way. In Mirik, a tea worker recounted how she barely escaped with her children before their house vanished under a wave of mud. Across the affected belts, schoolbooks, utensils, and belongings lie buried under thick layers of silt, reflecting the devastation. As emergency teams continue their search amid rain and fog, hope remains alive that more survivors will be found. However, with weather forecasts predicting continued rainfall, authorities fear that the situation could worsen before it improves. For now, Darjeeling’s famed hills, usually bustling with festive-season tourists, stand silent and scarred, as residents grapple with the aftermath of one of the most destructive monsoon disasters the region has witnessed in recent years.
