Darjeeling landslides kill 23, Nepal floods claim 51 lives

At least 23 people, including children, were killed as heavy rains triggered massive landslides in Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts on Sunday.

Entire slopes caved in, highways were buried, and communication lines snapped, leaving villages cut off and hundreds of tourists stranded. Officials described it as the worst disaster in the region since 2015.

According to the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), 18 deaths were reported from Darjeeling, including 11 in Mirik, the worst-hit area, and seven in the Darjeeling subdivision. Another five bodies were recovered in Jalpaiguri’s Nagrakata area. “Total number of deaths reported so far is 23, spanning across Mirik, Darjeeling, and Jalpaiguri,” an NDRF official said.

North Bengal Development Minister Udayan Guha called the situation “alarming” and said the toll could rise further. Anit Thapa, chief executive of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, confirmed landslides at 35 locations across the hills.

The disaster has stranded hundreds of tourists who had flocked to the hills for Durga Puja holidays. Families from Kolkata, Howrah, and Hooghly remained confined indoors in Mirik, Ghoom, and Lepchajagat as torrential rain pounded the hills. The Mirik-Sukhiapokhri road remains blocked, while an iron bridge linking Siliguri to the Darjeeling route was damaged.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held a high-level meeting, opened a 24x7 control room, and announced she would visit North Bengal on Monday. “The situation is grave. Due to incessant rain in Bhutan, water has overflowed into North Bengal. This disaster is unfortunate - natural calamities are beyond our control,” she said. Banerjee also announced compensation for victims and assured stranded tourists of government help.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and said the situation was being closely monitored. "Deeply pained by the loss of lives due to a bridge mishap in Darjeeling. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon," he wrote on X.

Several people were rescued from debris in Dhar Gaon and Nagarakata, while relief camps were set up in coordination with NGOs. Many families in Mirik were moved to safer locations. Darjeeling MP and BJP leader Raju Bista urged the state to declare the disaster as “state-level.”

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri, and an orange alert for Darjeeling, warning of more landslides and flooding. Over 300 mm of rainfall was recorded in just 12 hours, officials said.

Meanwhile, in neighbouring Nepal, landslides and floods have killed at least 51 people in the past two days. Thirty-seven deaths were reported in the Ilam district of Koshi province. Authorities have restricted vehicle entry and exit from Kathmandu for three days due to the risk of landslides.

Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said several highways were shut and flights disrupted, stranding passengers returning from Dashain festivities. Red alerts were issued around the Bagmati and East Rapti rivers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered India’s assistance. “The loss of lives and property due to heavy rains in Nepal is heartbreaking. We stand with the Nepali people and the Government of Nepal during this difficult time,” he posted.

Officials warned that with saturated soil and continuing rainfall, the risk of further landslides remains high across the Himalayan belt.