Darjeeling Landslides Leave Atleast 28 Dead, Dozens Missing as Heavy Rains Ravage North Bengal

KalimNews | October 6, 2025 | Darjeeling / Siliguri / Kalimpong ;  Incessant rainfall since Saturday has triggered a series of devastating landslides and flash floods across the Darjeeling and Kalimpong hills, leaving at least 28 people dead, several injured, and many missing. Torrents of mud, rocks, and debris have swept through homes, bridges, and roads, isolating vast stretches of the region and cutting off arterial links to the plains.

The deluge, reminiscent of past calamities such as the 2023 Teesta floods and the 2003 Mirik landslide, has caused unprecedented damage to life and property. Continuous downpours battered the hills through the night, toppling trees, flooding rivers, and collapsing bridges across Darjeeling, Kurseong, Mirik, and Kalimpong.

As per official reports, 23 deaths have been confirmed so far — 18 Indian nationals and five citizens of Nepal who perished near the Indo-Nepal border at Maneybhanjyang, 5 more are believed to be buried alive. Fatalities due to the heavy rain that caused landslides during the night of October 4 and the morning of October 5 have been reported from Mirik, Sukhiapokhri, Jorebungalow, Sadar, and other police station areas.

The deceased include five people in Maneybhanjyang, two in Siyok Busty (Sukhiapokhri), three in Ward No. 3, Mirik, one each in Ward Nos. 1 and 9, four in Soureni Mechi, two in Jasbir Busty, one in Pussimbing, one in Chamon Gaon, and two in Mechi Dhar Gaon. Many of the victims were asleep when their homes were buried under cascading debris.

Among the deceased are women, children, and elderly residents, as well as a few tourists. One young visitor, Himadri Purkait (25) of South 24-Parganas, went missing from near his homestay at Sonada Intake. Search operations continue to locate him.

List of Deceased Persons — Darjeeling Landslides, October 5, 2025

Sl. No.	Name	Sex	Age	Address / Location	Remarks / Jurisdiction
1	Aahan Chettri	M	9	Son of Robin Chettri, Ward No. 9, Mirik	Mirik PS
2	Ruhi Bhutia	F	12	Daughter of Phendo Bhutia, Ward No. 9, Mirik	Mirik PS
3	Phuchung Dukpa	M	50	Jasbir Gaon, Mirik Busty	Mirik PS
4	Sunmit Lepcha	F	46	Jasbir Gaon, Mirik Busty	Mirik PS
5	Sneha Pradhan	F	19	Salbari, died at Dharagaon Mechi	Mirik PS
6	Anuj Pradhan Sambhu	M	42	Salbari, died at Dharagaon Mechi	Mirik PS
7	Anita Pradhan	F	41	Salbari, died at Dharagaon Mechi	Mirik PS
8	Arushi Chettri	F	12	Bara Kholachand Fapri, Bhaktinagar, Siliguri (died at Daragaon Mechi)	Mirik PS
9	Bijendra Rai	M	70	Mirik Thana Line, Ward No. 3	Mirik PS
10	Usha Rai	F	72	Mirik Thana Line, Ward No. 3	Mirik PS
11	Sadhna Tamang Lama	F	35	Mirik Thana Line, Ward No. 3	Mirik PS
12	Reza Rai	F	35	Daughter of Kumar Rai, SoomTE	Darjeeling Sadar PS
13	Wangchuk Tamang	M	21	Son of Nagen Rai, Tamsang Gaon, Permaguri, Sukhia	Jorebunglow PS
14	Laila Rai	F	35	Salu Division, Lingiya, Maraybong TE	Jorebunglow PS
15	Seema Sewa	F	65	Chhota Kothi, Pussimbing Tea Garden	Jorebunglow PS
16	Parusara Subba	F	65	Phulbari, Ringtong Tea Estate	Jorebunglow PS
17	Man Bahadur Pradhan	M	67	Rangbhang, Gopaldhara,Seeyok T. G.	Sukhiapokhri PS
18	Bimala Pradhan	F	65	Rangbhang, Gopaldhara,Seeyok T. G.	Sukhiapokhri PS
19	Manmaya Chettri	F	67	Mother of Raju Chettri	Maneybhanjyang (Nepal Border)
20	Rasmika Chettri	F	10	Daughter of Raju Chettri	Maneybhanjyang (Nepal Border)
21	Dipika Chettri	F	12	Guest from Charikot, Nepal	Maneybhanjyang (Nepal Border)
22	Unknown Male (Guest)	M	—	Guest from Nepal, unidentified	Maneybhanjyang (Nepal Border)
23	Unknown Female (Guest)	F	—	Guest from Nepal, unidentified	Maneybhanjyang (Nepal Border)

Collapse of Dudhey Bridge and Road Blockades

The Dudhey Steel Bridge on the Siliguri–Mirik route collapsed around 4 a.m. on Sunday, moments after a vehicle crossed over. The old iron bridge, a temporary structure, gave way under the force of the floodwaters. Construction of a new concrete bridge had been underway but was stalled due to the monsoon.

Arushi Chettri 12) of Kholachand Fapri, Siliguri 

Key roads, including Rohini Road, NH-10, and NH-110 (formerly NH-55), were closed following landslides and washouts, though some sections have since reopened after debris clearance. Traffic was diverted through Pankhabari Road, with emergency teams working around the clock to restore connectivity.

The Bijanbari–Pulbazar Bridge and several smaller bridges in Sukhia and Kalimpong have also been damaged. Landslides were reported in over 42 locations, destroying atleast 40 houses completely and partially damaging 101 others. Eight roads were washed away, while five remain blocked.

Rescue and Relief Operations

Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Disaster Management Wing have been deployed across affected regions. According to NDRF DIG Mohsen Shahedi, “Multiple teams have been mobilised from Darjeeling, Siliguri, and Alipurduar, with additional units en route from Malda and Kolkata. Intensive rescue and relief operations are underway.”

Three relief shelters have been set up in Mirik, housing around 80 rescued individuals. Community kitchens have been established to provide food and essentials. Ambulances have shifted seriously injured persons to North Bengal Medical College.

Rainfall Data and Wider Impact

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded 261 mm of rainfall in Darjeeling, 166.4 mm in Kalimpong, and 393 mm in Kurseong over the past 24 hours. The swollen Teesta, Balason, and Mahananda rivers have overflowed, inundating low-lying areas of Siliguri, Matigara, Naxalbari, and Phansidewa.

In Siliguri, several neighbourhoods — including Atharokhai, Kawakhali Nimtala, and Chunabhati — were submerged. Relief camps have been opened at Radha Ranjan School to shelter displaced residents.

Official Response and Political Reactions

President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and offered condolences to the bereaved families. The Prime Minister stated on X (formerly Twitter): “Deeply pained by the loss of lives in Darjeeling. The situation is being closely monitored, and all possible assistance will be extended.”

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed grave concern over the disaster and announced that she would visit North Bengal on Monday, October 6, to review the situation from Uttarkanya, the state’s mini secretariat in Siliguri. “We are saddened by the loss of our brothers and sisters. All assistance is being rushed to the affected families,” she said.

Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb confirmed that around 1,000 families have been affected and that relief materials — including food, water, tarpaulins, and medical aid — are being distributed.

GTA Chief Anit Thapa urged unity beyond politics, appealing for contributions from business and trading communities: “The scale of loss demands collective action. Let us pool our efforts to help our people.”

Regional Situation and Forecast

The impact of the monsoon extends across the eastern Himalayas, with landslides and flash floods also reported in Nepal and Bhutan. More than 60 people have died in Nepal, and Bhutan has launched coordinated rescue operations near the Amochu River with assistance from the Indian Army.

The IMD has issued a red alert for the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts, warning of extremely heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours. Authorities have urged tourists and residents to stay indoors unless necessary.

As of Sunday night, some roads, including NH-110 to Siliguri and NH-10 to Sikkim, have reopened for limited traffic. However, authorities caution that the terrain remains fragile and prone to further slides.

Human Toll and Ongoing Recovery

The human cost of this disaster continues to mount. Families are mourning loved ones, many still unaccounted for. Volunteers, army personnel, and civil defence workers continue to dig through the mud in the hope of finding survivors.

While the region begins to recover from the devastation, the tragedy has once again underscored the fragility of Himalayan terrain and the urgent need for resilient infrastructure and sustainable development.

Helpline:

Darjeeling Police Control Room — +91 91478 89078 (WhatsApp enabled)

Citizens and tourists stranded in affected areas are advised to contact the helpline or local authorities for assistance.