Darjeeling floods landslides struck northern West Bengal over the weekend, killing at least 20 people and injuring several others in a sudden West Bengal heavy rains disaster that buried homes and severed roads. Torrential downpours from Saturday night triggered the chaos in Darjeeling and Mirik areas, where landslides swept away structures and isolated villages. Rescue teams worked amid debris, while hundreds of Darjeeling tourists stranded floods sought safety in hill stations. Officials warned of rising tolls as more showers loomed.
This West Bengal heavy rains disaster underscores the fragility of South Asia’s Himalayan foothills, where climate-driven monsoons threaten tea economies and tourism hubs vital to regional livelihoods. Darjeeling, a UNESCO site known for its estates and peaks, faces recurring threats that disrupt supply chains and displace communities across borders into Nepal and Bhutan. With 20 deaths already, the event highlights gaps in early warning systems, urging investments in resilient infrastructure to safeguard millions in similar terrains.
Mirik Landslides Death Toll Climbs to 11
Mirik bore the brunt of the Darjeeling floods landslides 2025. At least 11 people died there, including five in the municipality and six in the block area, according to Arun Sigchi, executive member of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration. Seven others suffered injuries and received treatment at North Bengal Medical College and Hospital. Landslides hit spots like Mirik Basti, Sarsaly, and Jasbirgaon, flattening homes and blocking paths with boulders.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) reported rescuing seven injured from Mirik rubble. Teams faced slippery slopes and continuous rain, which hampered access. In one incident, a boulder diverted floodwater into a village, worsening inundation. Local officials shifted families to safer zones and set up temporary camps with NGO aid. The Mirik landslides death toll could rise, as searches continue for those trapped under mud.
Darjeeling subdivision added seven fatalities, with one person still missing in Sukhia Pokhri. A major slide there killed residents overnight. Bijanbari confirmed one death. Overall, the West Bengal heavy rains disaster affected districts including Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar, where debris littered highways.
West Bengal Heavy Rains Disaster Devastates Infrastructure
The West Bengal heavy rains disaster dumped extremely heavy precipitation over 48 hours, saturating soils and sparking slides. The India Meteorological Department issued a red alert for sub-Himalayan West Bengal until October 6, forecasting more landslides due to wet ground. Rainfall totals exceeded 200 mm in parts of Darjeeling, per regional weather head H R Biswas.
Two iron bridges collapsed, including the Dudhia Iron Bridge over the Balason River linking Siliguri plains to Mirik hills. This cut vital lifelines, stranding vehicles and halting traffic to Kurseong and Sikkim borders. Several roads flooded or cracked, isolating remote pockets. Huge land tracts in tea plantations turned to swamps, threatening harvests. In Dhar Gaon, Nagarakata, mudslides razed houses; rescuers pulled 40 survivors from wreckage.
NDRF deployed three teams to north Bengal, one focused on Mirik. Police and district administration joined efforts, clearing debris with bulldozers. Over 40 people received aid in Jalpaiguri alone. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee detailed the scope in a statement: “Two iron bridges have collapsed, several roads have been damaged and flooded, huge tracts of land in the districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar have been inundated.” She noted worrying losses in Mirik and urged calm.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi echoed support, stating authorities monitored the situation closely. “My thoughts are with the bereaved families. We are committed to providing all possible assistance to those affected.” President Droupadi Murmu offered condolences, praying for rescue success and injured recovery. North Bengal Development Minister Udayan Guha called the scene alarming, en route to assess damages.
Darjeeling Tourists Stranded Floods: Hundreds Isolated
Darjeeling tourists stranded floods numbered in the hundreds, many from Kolkata for post-Durga Puja breaks. Popular spots like Ghoom, Lepchajagat, and Mirik Lake turned perilous as paths vanished under slides. Families hunkered in hotels, reliant on dwindling supplies. Banerjee advised visitors to stay put until evacuation: “Wherever our citizens are, we must ensure their safety.”
Rescue helicopters airlifted some from high ground, but fog and rain delayed flights. Local guides led treks to safer elevations. In one group, 50 tourists reached a relief point after a 5 km hike. The Darjeeling floods landslides 2025 exposed tourism vulnerabilities; the sector employs thousands in hill economies. Officials registered 300-plus affected visitors by midday October 6.
Background
Darjeeling’s hills, prone to monsoonal slides, have seen similar West Bengal heavy rains disasters before. The district’s steep terrain and loose gneiss soils amplify risks during heavy precipitation. Past events, like 2017 landslides, killed dozens and cost millions in repairs. Climate shifts bring fiercer rains, per government data from the Irrigation and Waterways Department. West Bengal spans 37,660 sq km of flood zones across 111 blocks, with northern rivers like Teesta swelling from upstream flows.
The area’s tea heritage, employing over 1 million, faces annual threats. In 2025, early monsoon peaks caught preparedness off-guard. District disaster plans emphasise community drills, yet remote access remains a hurdle.
What’s Next
Relief ramps up as Banerjee visits affected sites on October 6. NDRF plans more teams if rains persist. Engineers assess bridge rebuilds, targeting temporary spans in 48 hours. The IMD predicts easing showers by October 7, aiding searches. Central aid includes funds for evacuations and crop losses. Long-term, experts push for slope stabilisation and radar networks to curb future Darjeeling floods landslides 2025 impacts. Officials eye a final toll update by evening, with focus on reuniting Darjeeling tourists stranded floods.
In the wake of these Darjeeling floods landslides 2025, communities rebuild amid grief, underscoring the need for swift federal-state coordination.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, October 6th, 2025
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