14 killed in Darjeeling as rain triggers deadly landslides; Tourist spots shut

Continuous overnight rainfall has triggered severe disruptions and deadly landslides across North Bengal, leading to a tragic loss of life. Officials have confirmed that at least 14 people have died due to landslides in Darjeeling's Mirik and Sukhia Pokhari areas. The ongoing rescue operations, spearheaded by the Darjeeling District Police, indicate that the death toll remains provisional and could potentially increase as efforts to reach the affected continue.

The torrential downpour has caused widespread damage to critical infrastructure, completely cutting off road connections between West Bengal and Sikkim. Landslides have blocked the main thoroughfare between Darjeeling and Siliguri, creating a major logistical crisis for commuters and supplies. Furthermore, the heavy rainfall has also severely impacted other districts, including Jalpaiguri, Siliguri, and Coochbehar, where extensive waterlogging is now compounding the situation.

A number of key national highways are facing significant blocks due to multiple landslide incidents. NH10 is blocked at various locations, notably Chitrey and Selfie Dara. While efforts are underway to clear NH717A, connectivity to the Darjeeling hills via the crucial Coronation Bridge has also been blocked. Flooding near Rabijhora and the Teesta Bazar stretch along the river has closed the road from Kalimpong to Darjeeling, with police advising the use of the Lava-Gorubathan stretch as an alternative route.

In response to the extreme weather conditions, the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) has taken the precautionary measure of shutting down all major tourist spots in Darjeeling. These closures include highly frequented locations such as the iconic Tiger Hill and the Rock Garden. Adding to the travel disruption, all services of the historic Darjeeling toy train have also been suspended until the situation improves and safety can be guaranteed.

The weather warnings accompanying this crisis have been severe. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) initially issued a red warning for all six districts of Sikkim, predicting heavy rains and gusty winds, before upgrading it to an orange alert. Authorities are also closely monitoring the situation in Bhutan, warning that downstream flash floods could occur in North Bengal, posing a further threat to low-lying areas.