Seventeen people have died in West Bengal's Darjeeling after heavy rain triggered landslides and cut off road connectivity on key routes. Officials have said the calamity has cut off connectivity to the Himalayan state of Sikkim.
Severe monsoon rains have devastated parts of North Bengal and Sikkim and causing major damage to infrastructure and transport links. Authorities warn the toll could rise as the situation remains critical in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Sikkim.
Heavy overnight rain led to the collapse of the iron bridge over the Balason River at Dudhia, which connected Siliguri and Mirik. Vehicular movement along the route has been completely suspended.
At least 14 people have died in Darjeeling district, following a landslide in Mirik.
Additional landslides have been reported at Hussain Khola, along National Highway 110 near Kurseong, further aggravating the situation.
Kalimpong district remains in a critical state, with continuous rainfall causing widespread damage and increasing the risk of further landslides. Several roads are completely blocked, while communication lines remain disrupted.
A landslide on National Highway 717E, the alternative route connecting Siliguri and Sikkim, occurred between Pedong and Rishikhola, bringing all traffic along this vital corridor to a standstill. Authorities have described road clearance operations as extremely challenging due to the relentless rainfall.
Residents near the river remain on high alert as water levels rise, while police from the Garidhura outpost are actively monitoring the situation.
BJP MP Raju Bista shared updates on X (formerly Twitter), expressing anguish over the scale of destruction:
"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.
A large number of tourists from Kolkata and other parts of Bengal travel to Darjeeling after the Durga Puja. So many tourists are likely to be caught in the calamity.
To prevent any untoward incident, the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration has decided to shut tourist spots in Darjeeling, including the Tiger Hill and Rock Garden. The toy train services have also been suspended.
Source: NDTV
Bd-pratidin English/ ANI
