Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed deep sorrow over the devastating landslides that have struck West Bengal’s Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts, killing at least 19 people and leaving several others missing. The region has been battered by torrential rainfall for days, triggering multiple landslides that have cut off vital roads, damaged bridges, and left hill communities isolated.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, “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. We are committed to providing all possible assistance to those affected.”
Officials confirmed that a massive landslide struck near the Mirik–Sukhia Pokhri road late on Saturday night, sweeping away houses and paralysing all movement along the route. Darjeeling Sub-Divisional Officer Richard Lepcha said that at least seven deaths have been reported so far, but the numbers may rise as rescue efforts continue. “At least seven deaths have been reported due to a major landslide in Darjeeling subdivision triggered by heavy rainfall since last night. We don’t have the exact figures right now as the rescue and relief work has just started,” Lepcha said.
The worst-affected areas include Bishnulal Gaon, Ward 3 Lake Side, and Jasbir Gaon, where six people have died and several others remain unaccounted for. Another casualty was reported from a nearby tea estate. Several houses, tea garden quarters, and roads have been washed away, while temporary relief camps have been set up to house displaced families. Medical teams, aided by NGOs, have been deployed to provide emergency care, food, and shelter.
The landslides have wreaked havoc on the region’s transport and communication network. The main Darjeeling–Siliguri route remains blocked at Dilaram and Whistle Khola in Kurseong, while the Rohini road has been severely damaged.
The Dudhey Iron Bridge collapsed, cutting off access between Siliguri and Mirik, while the Pulbazar bridge suffered extensive damage, isolating Thanaline and parts of Bijanbari. National Highway 10, a key connector to Sikkim, was also closed at Chitrey following heavy slides.
Rescue and relief efforts are being carried out by the district administration, police, disaster response teams, and volunteers. However, incessant rainfall and slippery terrain have made operations extremely difficult. A senior police officer noted that the continuous downpour has made it “extremely difficult for earthmovers and emergency vehicles to reach the affected sites.”
Darjeeling Superintendent of Police Praween Prakash said that clearance operations are underway, “The roads at Whistle Khola and Dilaram are being cleared. Once open, we will allow vehicles to use the Hill Cart Road from Kurseong. Until then, traffic remains suspended.” He added that restoring the Rohini route may take longer, as it falls under the jurisdiction of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) has announced the closure of all tourist spots until further notice, urging visitors to remain indoors and avoid travel.
SP Prakash reiterated the appeal,“The Mirik road is also closed; travellers can use the route via Darjeeling to reach Siliguri, though there is currently no direct alternative. Restoration may take at least two to three hours due to multiple slides. We request tourists to remain in town and not travel until further updates are shared through our social media handles.”
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall over sub-Himalayan West Bengal, including Darjeeling and Kalimpong, until 6 October. The department has warned of possible landslides and further road blockages due to the saturated soil and steep terrain. Since Friday night, the hills have seen multiple instances of soil erosion and road collapse, isolating tea garden settlements and posing a continued threat to life and infrastructure.
