By Manisha Sahu, America News World
October 5, 2025
At least 14 people have been killed and several others are missing after a series of devastating landslides struck the picturesque Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal late Saturday night. Triggered by relentless heavy rain, the landslides have caused widespread destruction, cutting off road and communication links between West Bengal and the neighboring Himalayan state of Sikkim.
Rescue operations, led by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local police, are facing immense challenges due to ongoing rainfall, blocked roads, and rising river levels. Officials fear that the death toll may rise as teams continue to search through debris and reach remote, affected areas.
Bridges Collapse, Roads Washed Away
The disaster has severely damaged key infrastructure across the region. The collapse of an iron bridge near Teesta Bazaar in Kalimpong has completely severed connectivity between Sikkim and West Bengal. Another bridge between Mirik and Dudhia has also collapsed, isolating the popular hill town of Mirik from Siliguri, the region’s main transit hub.
Flooding in the Teesta River—already swollen by days of rainfall—has worsened the crisis, submerging low-lying areas and hampering the movement of emergency teams. Several major roads, including National Highways 10 and 717A, are blocked due to multiple landslides, cutting off access to several hill communities.
“Road connectivity has been devastated. The Dilaram and Rohini routes are blocked, the Pankhabari road is nearly impassable, and only the Tindharia route remains partially open,” said Abhishek Roy, Additional Superintendent of Police (Kurseong). “Our top priority is to evacuate stranded tourists and residents safely, especially from Mirik, within the next few hours.”
Rescue Efforts Underway Amid Challenging Conditions
By Sunday morning, officials confirmed the recovery of seven bodies from Kurseong, with rescue teams working to retrieve more from several landslide-hit sites.
In Mirik subdivision, at least two people were found dead in Sarsaly, two in Jasbirgaon of Mirik Basti, and four in Dhar Gaon of Mechi. Another victim was recovered near Mirik Lake, while two individuals remain missing.
“Teams are working under extremely difficult conditions,” an NDRF official said. “With continuous rain and unstable slopes, there’s always a risk of secondary landslides.”
Helplines have been set up by the Darjeeling Police Control Room (+91 91478 89078) to assist stranded tourists and coordinate rescue logistics. Local volunteers and civic bodies under the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) have joined the efforts, providing shelter, food, and medical aid to displaced families.
Prime Minister Modi Offers Condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives, calling it a “tragic incident” and assuring that all necessary assistance will be extended to those affected.
“Deeply pained by the loss of lives due to a bridge mishap in Darjeeling. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The situation in Darjeeling and surrounding areas is being closely monitored in the wake of heavy rains and landslides,” the Prime Minister posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The West Bengal government has ordered a coordinated response involving the state disaster management department, NDRF, and local authorities to restore connectivity and ensure supplies of food, fuel, and medical essentials to stranded regions.
Tourism Takes a Hit as Hill Stations Close
The landslides have struck during the peak tourist season in the Darjeeling hills. Authorities have ordered the closure of major attractions, including Tiger Hill, Rock Garden, and Batasia Loop, until further notice. Hundreds of tourists remain stranded in hotels and guesthouses across Mirik and Kurseong.
A public advisory issued by the Darjeeling Superintendent of Police urged people to avoid unnecessary travel, warning of further landslides due to continuing rainfall. “Several landslides have occurred across the region, causing road blockages and unsafe travel conditions,” the order stated.
Meanwhile, Darjeeling MP Raju Bista said he was in constant touch with state and central officials. “We are coordinating with disaster response teams and local administrations to ensure swift relief and rescue. I have asked party workers to assist affected families on the ground,” he said.
Sikkim Remains Isolated
The landslides have also cut off Sikkim from the rest of India, following the collapse of a crucial iron bridge near Teesta Bazaar. Traffic between Kalimpong and Gangtok has been completely halted. The Sikkim state government has deployed additional emergency personnel to assess the situation and restore connectivity.
Officials said the Panbu road to Kalimpong remains open for limited traffic, providing a temporary lifeline for the transport of relief materials. However, further rainfall poses a serious risk of additional slope failures.
A Region on Edge
Darjeeling and its surrounding hill districts are among the most landslide-prone regions in India, especially during the monsoon and post-monsoon months. Years of deforestation, unplanned construction, and fragile soil composition have worsened the risk.
Environmental experts warn that the increasing frequency of extreme rainfall events—linked to climate change—could make such disasters more common in the eastern Himalayas.
As heavy rain continues to lash the region, rescue teams are racing against time. Hundreds remain stranded, communication remains patchy, and the picturesque hill towns of Darjeeling and Kalimpong—normally bustling with tourists—have been brought to a standstill.