Darjeeling weather: Landslides claim 14 lives, major tourist destinations shut
At least fourteen people died after heavy rainfall triggered multiple landslides across the Darjeeling hills on Saturday, sweeping away homes, damaging roads, and cutting off several remote hamlets, officials said. At least one person remains missing as Darjeeling's Mirik and Sukhiapokhri was heavily hit by the calamity.#Darjeeling: Over 20 lost their lives due to Incessant rainfall and landslides in Gorkhaland Territorial Administration in North Bengal.
Constant heavy rain strikes Mirik, Kurseong, Rangbhang, Pul Bazaar. Heavy rainfall and landslides reported in Kalimpong Hill District and… pic.twitter.com/SVQifOgoaB
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) October 5, 2025
Fatalities were reported from several locations - Sarsaly, Jasbirgaon, Mirik Basti, Dhar Gaon (Mechi), and Mirik Lake area. At least four people were rescued from the debris in Dhar Gaon, where heavy mudslides flattened several houses. Popular tourist destinations including Tiger Hill and Rock Garden have been closed in the light of the weather conditions.
Rescue and relief operations are underway by the local administration, police, and disaster response teams, Darjeeling Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Richard Lepcha told news agency PTI.
Due to the incessant heavy rainfall in North Bengal, the hilly regions of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Kurseong have been severely affected, with communication and transport links to the plains of Siliguri, Terai, and Dooars almost completely disrupted due to landslides and… pic.twitter.com/ugkbLrTmQr
— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) October 5, 2025
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has joined the rescue operations in Mirik Lake area, one of the worst-hit zones, officials said.
The landslides disrupted traffic movement on key routes including the Mirik-Sukhiapokhri road, while communication lines to several hilltop settlements were snapped.
North Bengal Development Minister Udayan Guha described the situation as "alarming" and pegged the death toll at seventeen citing reports.
Several families in Bishnulal Gaon, Ward 3 Lake Side, and Jasbir Gaon 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.
#WATCH | West Bengal Movement of vehicles has been restricted on the Siliguri-Darjeeling SH-12 road after a portion of Dudhia iron bridge collapsed due to heavy rain in North Bengal. pic.twitter.com/0Rv61YekTa
— ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2025
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.
Officials said the priority remains to trace the two missing persons near Mirik Lake and restore connectivity to cut-off regions as rescue operations continue through the night under challenging conditions.
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