Darjeeling: Heavy rains have triggered floods and landslides in India’s Darjeeling region, killing at least 18 people and damaging critical infrastructure, officials have reported. Authorities have warned that the death toll may rise as rescue operations continue in remote areas.
The intense rainfall has washed away homes, roads, and two iron bridges, disrupting connectivity in several districts including Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar, areas known for their tea plantations. Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal’s chief minister, said that large tracts of land have been inundated, and infrastructure damage has been widespread.
Highway traffic has been severely affected, particularly where an iron bridge over the Balason River connecting Siliguri to Mirik collapsed. Many roads have caved in, and debris has blocked access to remote villages, complicating rescue and relief efforts, said a local disaster management official.
The Himalayan hill resort of Darjeeling, popular for its tea estates and panoramic views of Mount Kanchenjunga, has urged tourists to remain in safe locations until evacuation is complete. The regional weather head, H R Biswas, said more heavy showers are expected following the weekend’s downpours.
Across the border in Nepal, authorities have reported 50 deaths due to landslides and floods, with 37 casualties in separate landslides in the eastern district of Ilam, which borders India. Rescuers in Nepal have been clearing debris and blocked roads while searching for survivors after homes were washed away in multiple villages, said district official Bholanath Guragain.
The ongoing relief and restoration work faces challenges due to the accumulation of mud and debris on roads, making access to several areas difficult. Authorities in both countries are coordinating efforts to evacuate stranded residents and provide emergency aid to the affected populations.
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