By Matters India Reporter
Siliguri, Oct. 5, 2025: Seventeen people have lost their lives in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district after relentless overnight rains triggered landslides and flash floods, severing road connectivity to Sikkim and inundating large swathes of North Bengal.
The fatalities were reported from multiple locations. Two others are yet to be identified.
The Bijanbari–Pull Bazar bridge, a vital link connecting Siliguri Main Road to Chungtong and Merrybong, has collapsed. Several bridges in the Dooars region have also been washed away, crippling National Highway 17 and isolating entire communities. The region remains submerged under floodwaters.
Landslides have struck Mirik, Sukhia Pokhari, and surrounding hill settlements, prompting emergency rescue operations by police and local administration. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is expected to visit Darjeeling on October 6 to assess the damage and meet affected families.
Anugyalaya Darjeeling Diocese Social Service Society has deployed relief teams which are monitoring the impact, said director Father Samuel Lepcha. He told Matters India that although Church properties have been damaged, no life or homes got affected.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the tragedy, stating on X (formerly Twitter), “Deeply pained by the loss of lives in Darjeeling. We are committed to providing all possible assistance to those affected.”
Darjeeling M P Raju Bista voiced concern over the widespread devastation: “There have been deaths, loss of properties, and damage to infrastructure. I am taking stock of the situation and in touch with the relevant authorities.”
The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration has ordered the closure of all tourist spots, including Tiger Hill and Rock Garden, and suspended the iconic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway toy train services. With the post-Durga Puja tourist influx from Kolkata and other parts of Bengal, many visitors are feared stranded.
To aid those affected, Bengal Police has activated a helpline: 9147889078.
Heavy rainfall has also battered Jalpaiguri, Siliguri, and Cooch Behar, causing severe waterlogging. The India Meteorological Department had issued red alerts for North Bengal and Sikkim, warning of continued downpours, thunderstorms, and gusty winds until October 7. Officials caution that flash floods remain a looming threat.
Visuals from the region show rivers in spate, broken bridges, and washed-out hill roads. The same weather system has wreaked havoc in neighbouring Nepal, where 22 lives have been lost in the past 36 hours.
As the hills mourn their dead and brace for more rain, the resilience of the mountain communities and swift action from authorities will be crucial in navigating this unfolding calamity.