Torrential Rains Unleash Deadly Landslides and Bridge Collapse in Darjeeling Hills
Intense monsoon downpours and triggered landslides have claimed multiple lives in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district on Sunday, with an essential iron bridge also succumbing to the onslaught of water. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had previously sounded a red alert for the sub-Himalayan region, encompassing Darjeeling alongside Kalimpong, Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar, signaling the severity of the impending weather crisis.
Official tallies remain pending, but accounts from the ground point to at least six confirmed fatalities in the Mirik area, where landslides swept through vulnerable slopes. The disaster has compounded woes in the hilly terrain, where swollen rivers and unstable earth have long posed risks during peak rainy seasons.
A dispatch from India Today highlights the collapse of the iron bridge over the Balason River at Dudhia, a critical link between Siliguri and Mirik. The structure’s failure has severed road connectivity, stranding vehicles and commuters while rescue efforts grapple with flooded access routes.
Darjeeling MP and BJP leader Raju Bista voiced profound distress over the widespread havoc wrought by the relentless rains across Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts. “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 posted on X, underscoring the human toll and material losses.
The IMD’s Saturday bulletin had flagged extreme precipitation risks, prompting the red alert for the named districts. Heading into Sunday, Alipurduar stayed under a red warning, while Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Jalpaiguri faced orange alerts for substantial rainfall. A fresh nowcast from the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Kolkata extended the red alert for exceptionally heavy showers over Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar until noon, urging heightened vigilance amid the ongoing deluge.
As emergency teams mobilize to clear debris and restore access, the episode serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of infrastructure in India’s northeastern foothills, where climate patterns increasingly amplify such perils. Authorities continue to monitor evolving conditions, with appeals for residents to heed evacuation advisories and avoid low-lying zones.