Darjeeling Flooded: 28 Dead, Hundreds of Tourists Trapped as Landslides Wreck North Bengal

Darjeeling, West Bengal – What was meant to be a festive escape during the Durga Puja holidays turned into a nightmare for hundreds of tourists in Darjeeling and surrounding areas. Unrelenting heavy rains have triggered massive landslides and flash floods, leaving a trail of destruction across North Bengal. As of now, 28 people have lost their lives, and several others remain missing.

The downpour, which began late Saturday night, has severely impacted both hilly and lowland regions. Worst-hit areas include Mirik, Jorebungalow, Manebhanjang, Sukhiapokhri, and Falakata. Mirik alone accounted for 13 recovered bodies. Rainfall totals ranged from 190 mm in Cooch Behar to over 300 mm in Jalpaiguri, causing Teesta, Mahananda, and Jaldhaka rivers to rise above danger levels.

Infrastructure in Ruins

Heavy rainfall has caused widespread damage to roads, bridges, and communication lines, cutting off vital connectivity. A key iron bridge connecting Siliguri to Mirik has collapsed, and the Rohini Road, linking Darjeeling to the plains, has caved in. The NH-10 highway is blocked by multiple landslides, halting traffic in both directions.

Adding to the crisis, the iconic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway has suspended all operations indefinitely due to safety concerns.

Tourists Trapped, Communication Down

In popular tourist spots like Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Dooars, hundreds of visitors remain stranded. The situation has worsened with widespread power outages and disrupted mobile networks, leaving many without access to emergency help.

Footage and eyewitness reports have emerged of people crossing gushing streams using ropes and zip lines. Kolkata resident Priya Banerjee described forming a human chain with fellow tourists to cross a flooded stretch. In another account, trader Saurav Palit from Sishmara shared that he and his family walked over 6 kilometers through mud and water, spending ₹4,000 to finally reach Falakata safely.

Rescue Efforts: Elephants Deployed in Forest Zones

In remote forest regions like Jaldapara, rescue teams had to employ trained elephants to ferry stranded individuals to safer zones. Forest department officials coordinated these unusual but effective operations, ensuring minimal risk in inaccessible areas.

Authorities on Alert

Darjeeling Superintendent of Police, Praveen Prakash, urged travelers to follow official advisories posted on police social media channels before planning any trips to the region.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held an emergency meeting to assess the worsening situation. She announced that she would personally visit the affected areas on Monday and assured that all rescue and relief expenses will be borne by the state government. She also ordered a temporary closure of tourist activities in vulnerable locations until conditions stabilize.