Darjeeling: Rescue Ops Gain Pace

Amitava Banerjee, MP, 7 Oct 2025 : Darjeeling: With weather conditions improving, search, rescue, and relief operations in the landslide-ravaged hills of Darjeeling have gained momentum. Stranded tourists were evacuated by the district administration from remote areas affected by the landslides.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who visited the landslide-hit areas of Mirik on Tuesday, refrained from commenting on whether the calamity would be declared a national disaster. Rijiju visited areas where 11 people had lost their lives in the recent landslides. He stated that he was assessing the situation on the ground and would submit a report to the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister.

“The main focus right now is immediate relief. The second step will be the rehabilitation and relocation of affected families. In coordination with the state, we will definitely work out a comprehensive plan. The Centre will definitely help the state with this,” Rijiju said.

When asked whether the incident would be declared a “national tragedy,” Rijiju remained non-committal. “This is definitely a disaster. The declaration is a technical thing. I don’t want to get into technicalities now… we are working on humanitarian grounds. There is no space for politics. Immediate relief is important.”

Search operations continued for those still missing in the landslides. “A thorough search was conducted downstream for Himadri Purkait, who has been missing from Malat, Sukhia Pokhari block. Search efforts also continued for Upendra Kumar (28), who has been missing from Ward No. 9, Pulbazar. Both remain untraceable,” stated Richard Lepcha, Sub-Divisional Officer of Darjeeling.

“We are sending back stranded tourists from different affected areas,” Lepcha added. The landslides had stranded nearly 80 tourists in various locations. The worst-affected area was Tabakoshi, near Mirik, on the banks of the Rangbhang River. Around 70 tourists were marooned in Tabakoshi after several road stretches were blocked by landslides.

“Despite both approaches being cut off, JCBs were immediately deployed to clear debris. With movement impossible on October 5, the administration arranged safe accommodation and food for the stranded tourists in nearby homestays. Continuous restoration work overnight allowed roads to reopen by the morning of October 6, following which vehicles arranged by the block administration transported the tourists from Tabakoshi to Sukhiapokhri, from where they proceeded safely to Siliguri,” Lepcha added.

Four tourists were evacuated from near Indreni Falls in Lower Sonada, and five stranded at Chamong Tea Estate Bungalow on October 6 were rescued after a night-long effort.

Courtesy & source- Millennium Post