Tragedy in the Hills: 20 Dead, Villages Isolated as Devastating Landslides Ravage Darjeeling and Mirik.
CM Mamata Banerjee to Visit North Bengal; PM Modi Expresses Grief as Rescue Operations Continue Amid Chaos.
Darjeeling/Mirik, October 5:
At least 20 people, including several children, have lost their lives in one of the worst landslides in a decade across the Darjeeling and Mirik hills, triggered by relentless rainfall that began Saturday night. The disaster has caused massive destruction, sweeping away homes, cutting off key roads, isolating entire villages, and leaving hundreds of tourists stranded across the scenic hill region, officials confirmed.
According to reports from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the district administration, casualties have been confirmed from Sarsaly, Jasbirgaon, Mirik Basti, Dhar Gaon (Mechi), Nagrakata, and areas surrounding the Mirik Lake.
North Bengal Development Minister Udayan Guha called the situation “alarming” and said the death toll was expected to rise further. “As of now, the death toll is 20. It is likely to go up,” he said.
The worst-hit area is Mirik, where 11 people have died and several others are feared trapped under debris. In the Darjeeling subdivision, seven more deaths have been confirmed, as rescue operations continue in treacherous terrain and under harsh weather conditions.
“Seven deaths have been reported due to a major landslide in Darjeeling subdivision,” said Darjeeling SDO Richard Lepcha, noting that police, local officials, and disaster response teams are working round-the-clock.
The scale of devastation has been compared to the 2015 landslide disaster, which claimed nearly 40 lives in the region. Entire slopes have collapsed, highways are buried under thick layers of mud, and communication lines are snapped, officials said.
The Mirik-Sukhiapokhri Road, a key lifeline for many villages, remains completely blocked, severely hampering rescue and relief efforts. An iron bridge connecting Siliguri to the Darjeeling-Mirik route has also been damaged, cutting off vital access to the hills.
Adding to the crisis, hundreds of tourists visiting for Durga Puja from Kolkata, Howrah, and Hooghly are now stranded in Mirik, Ghoom, and Lepchajagat, unable to move due to road blockages and dangerous conditions. Many have been confined indoors since Saturday night, as heavy rains continue to lash the hills.
In response, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held an emergency meeting at Nabanna, opened a 24×7 control room, and announced she would visit North Bengal on Monday to oversee relief operations. “More than 300 mm of rainfall has been recorded in just 12 hours. The situation is grave. I’ve held virtual meetings with five affected districts and have been monitoring the situation since 6 am,” she said.
Banerjee also assured that the state government would arrange safe return for stranded tourists and announced compensation for the families of the deceased.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and said the central government is closely monitoring the situation. “Deeply pained by the loss of lives due to a bridge mishap in Darjeeling… The situation in Darjeeling and surrounding areas is being closely monitored,” he posted on X.
Rescue and relief operations by NDRF, SDRF, and local administration are continuing despite challenging weather and terrain. Helicopter evacuations are being considered if the weather permits, officials said.
The state government has urged residents to remain indoors and follow alerts issued by the administration, as the risk of further landslides and flash floods remains high in the coming days.
