Darjeeling Disaster: 7 Dead as Heavy Rain Triggers Massive Landslides, Iron Bridge Collapses in West Bengal Hills
IMD had also issued a red alert for the sub-Himalayan district, along with Kalimpong, Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar
Several people have died amid the heavy rains and landslides in West Bengal’s Darjeeling on Sunday. Furthermore, due to the excessive rainfall, an iron bridge also collapsed. As per the latest update, at least seven people have died due to the landslides.
The Dhudia bridge, which is an iron bridge over the Balason River at Dudhia, connecting Siliguri and Mirik, was damaged and collapsed due to the heavy rainfall in the region.
As per PTI, officials have stated that at least seven people have died in Darjeeling due to the land slides excessive rainfall.
BJP leader Raju Bista, who is also the MP for Darjeeling, stated that there have been several deaths and loss of properties due to the heavy rainfall.
“I am extremely anguished to learn about the massive damages caused due to extremely heavy rainfall in many parts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts. There have been deaths, and loss of properties, and damages to the infrastructure. I am taking stock of the situation, and in touch with the relevant authorities,” Bista wrote on X.
Local residents of Mirik told HT that the landslide at Dara Gaon near Soureni hit a house, killing four people who were sleeping, hit between 2 to 3 AM. .
“They had gone to Dara Gaon from Salbari near Siliguri to celebrate Dasai (Dusshera), the biggest festival of the Gorkhas,” Mirik Panchayat Samiti leader Aditya Pradhan told HT.
The India Meteorological Department on Saturday issued a red alert for the sub-Himalayan district, along with Kalimpong, Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar.
As per the warnings issued for Sunday, a red alert is on for Alipurduar, and an orange alert for heavy rainfall is active for Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri.
However, as per the nowcast, from RMC Kolkata, a red alert for extremely heavy rain is active for Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar till 12 noon.
West Bengal’s picturesque hill town of Darjeeling was plunged into chaos as heavy rainfall triggered multiple landslides, claiming the lives of 7 people and causing widespread damage to infrastructure, including the collapse of a crucial iron bridge connecting several remote villages. Authorities have described the situation as a major natural disaster, and emergency services are working round-the-clock to rescue stranded residents and clear blocked roads.
According to the West Bengal State Disaster Management Authority (WBSDMA), the region received over 250mm of rainfall within 24 hours, the highest in decades for this time of year. The intense downpour saturated the soil on the steep slopes of Darjeeling’s surrounding hills, causing mudslides and landslips that swept away homes, vehicles, and roadways.
Local residents reported hearing roaring landslides in the early morning hours, prompting frantic evacuations in several villages. “The water and m
Among the most significant infrastructural damages is the collapse of a century-old iron bridge that connected Darjeeling to surrounding villages in the Kalimpong district. The bridge, which served as a lifeline for daily commuters and transport of goods, was completely washed away by flash floods, leaving dozens of residents stranded.
Authorities have dispatched engineering teams to assess whether the bridge can be temporarily restored or if alternative routes need to be established. The collapse has also disrupted local supply chains, with reports of shortages in food, medicine, and other essentials in some isolated hill villages.
The disaster has claimed 7 confirmed lives, with 12 more reported missing. Search and rescue teams, including personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Indian Army, have been deployed to the affected areas. Rescue operations are challenging due to landslides blocking roads, fallen trees, and ongoing rainfall, but helicopters are being used to evacuate those trapped in remote locations.
Hospitals in Darjeeling and nearby Siliguri have been placed on high alert, preparing to treat injured victims. Local NGOs and community volunteers are also assisting in relief efforts, providing food, temporary shelters, and medical aid to displaced families.
The landslides and bridge collapse have severely impacted daily life in Darjeeling. Schools have been temporarily closed, public transport has been disrupted, and many tourist destinations have become inaccessible, affecting the local economy. The tourism-dependent town, known for its tea gardens and Himalayan views, faces economic losses running into crores of rupees as travel and hospitality services halt.
Rail services on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage site, have also been affected due to track damage and landslide debris. Auth
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited Darjeeling and expressed her condolences to the families of the deceased. She announced an immediate relief package for victims, including:
₹5 lakh compensation for families of the deceased
₹50,000 assistance for severely injured individuals
Temporary shelters and ration supplies for displaced residents
The government has also deployed additional NDRF teams, cranes, and heavy machinery to clear debris, restore road connectivity, and prevent further landslides. Of
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued continuous red alerts for the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts over the next 48 hours, warning of further heavy rainfall and potential landslides. Residents are advised to remain vigilant, avoid low-lying areas, and follow directions from local authorities.
Experts warn that with the monsoon season in full swing, the risk of similar disasters in other parts of the northern West Bengal hills remains high. Landslides and flash floods are par
Following the disaster, environmentalists and urban planners have renewed calls for better hill area infrastructure, soil conservation, and disaster preparedness. “Darjeeling’s hills are highly vulnerable. We need sustainable construction, afforestation, and early warning systems to prevent loss of life in the future,” said Dr. Anjali Sen, a climate resilience expert.
Authorities are also considering reinforcement of existing bridges, slope stabilization proje
