Darjeeling (WB): At least nine people have died and two remain missing after heavy rainfall triggered multiple landslides across the Darjeeling hills on Saturday, destroying homes, damaging roads, and isolating several remote hamlets, officials said.
Rescue and relief operations are underway, led by local administration, police, and disaster response teams, Darjeeling Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Richard Lepcha told reporters. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also joined efforts in the Mirik Lake area, one of the worst-hit zones.
According to reports from the NDRF and district authorities, nine deaths have been confirmed so far, with two people still untraced. Fatalities were reported in Sarsaly, Jasbirgaon, Mirik Basti, Dhar Gaon (Mechi), and the Mirik Lake area. At least four people were rescued from debris in Dhar Gaon, where mudslides flattened several houses.
The landslides have disrupted traffic on major routes, including the Mirik-Sukhiapokhri road, and severed communication lines to several hilltop settlements.
North Bengal Development Minister Udayan Guha called the situation “alarming,” citing reports of 17 deaths, including 11 in Mirik and six in Darjeeling, though the figures are yet to be confirmed.
A senior police officer said heavy, continuous rain is hampering rescue operations. “The terrain is slippery, and several houses have been damaged. Earthmovers are finding it extremely difficult to operate on these slopes,” he said.
Several families from Bishnulal Gaon, Ward 3 Lake Side, and Jasbir Gaon in Mirik have been moved to safer locations, while temporary relief camps have been set up in coordination with local NGOs and the district administration.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in sub-Himalayan West Bengal, including Darjeeling and Kalimpong, until October 6, warning of further landslides and road blockages due to saturated soil.
Officials said the priority remains locating the two missing persons near Mirik Lake and restoring connectivity to isolated areas, with rescue operations continuing through the night under challenging conditions.
