20 dead as heavy rain triggers massive landslides in Darjeeling hills; Mamata to visit area on Oct 6
Public Lokpal
October 05, 2025
20 dead as heavy rain triggers massive landslides in Darjeeling hills; Mamata to visit area on Oct 6
DARJEELING (WB): At least 20 people, including several children, were killed and scores injured as relentless downpours unleashed massive landslides across the Mirik and Darjeeling hills in West Bengal on Sunday, sweeping away homes, severing road links, isolating villages, and leaving hundreds of tourists stranded, officials said.
According to reports compiled by the NDRF and the district administration, fatalities were reported from several locations - Sarsaly, Jasbirgaon, Mirik Basti, Dhar Gaon (Mechi), Nagrakata and Mirik Lake area.
According to the NDRF statement, at least 11 people have died in Mirik, the worst affected area in the landslide, and seven injured have been rescued from the area.
In Darjeeling, seven people died and the rescue operations were underway with the help of police, local administration and disaster response teams.
Hundreds of tourists, who had flocked to the Darjeeling hills to enjoy Durga Puja and post-Puja festivities, have been left stranded as heavy rainfall triggered massive landslides.
Many of them, including families and groups from Kolkata and other parts of Bengal, were visiting popular spots such as Mirik, Ghoom, and Lepchajagat when the rains lashed the hills since Saturday.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced compensation for the victims without specifying the amount and the number of deaths. She said she would visit north Bengal on October 6 to assess the situation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed condolences over the deaths and said the situation in Darjeeling and surrounding areas is being closely monitored.
At least 40 people were rescued from debris in Dhar Gaon, Nagarakata, where heavy mudslides flattened several houses.
The landslides disrupted traffic movement on key routes, including the Mirik-Sukhiapokhri road, while communication lines to several hilltop settlements were snapped.
Banerjee also announced that the families of those killed in the disaster would receive government compensation and employment for one of their members.
A senior police officer said heavy and continuous rain has severely hampered rescue operations.
Several families in Mirik have been shifted to safer places as precautionary measures, while temporary relief camps have been set up in coordination with local NGOs and the district administration.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in sub-Himalayan West Bengal, including Darjeeling and Kalimpong, till October 6, warning of more landslides and road blockages due to saturated soil conditions.
According to the NDRF, road connectivity remains severely disrupted in Darjeeling district and North Sikkim, and an iron bridge connecting Siliguri with the Mirik-Darjeeling route has been damaged, cutting off access to the region.
PTI
