Flash Floods and Landslides Cause Massive Damage to Darjeeling Tea Gardens; Rs 50 Crore Loss Expected

PTI, Kolkata, October 9, 2025 :  Heavy rainfall and subsequent flash floods and landslides in Darjeeling have left widespread devastation across at least 30 to 35 tea gardens in the region, with industry experts estimating a loss of at least Rs 50 crore. The damage includes the destruction of plantation areas, fatalities among workers, and significant harm to labourers’ homes, prompting tea planters to convene an urgent meeting to assess the situation.

Tea estates in Darjeeling have faced severe setbacks, with tea bushes being washed away and large portions of tea-bearing land permanently damaged. The loss of plantation land has disrupted production, especially affecting the autumn crop, which constitutes about 15% of the region's annual output.

Devastation Across Tea Estates

S.S. Bagaria, chairman of the Bagaria Group, which owns three tea gardens in Darjeeling, confirmed that the overall industry loss due to the rains and landslides could be as much as Rs 50 crore. "The situation is dire. For two to three days, we had no electricity, and there was no work being done. Roads were severely damaged, affecting transportation and the movement of workers," Bagaria said. However, he noted that power supply was restored on Wednesday, but the situation remains challenging.

Ashok Lohia, chairman of Chamong Tea, one of the most prominent tea estates in Darjeeling, echoed similar concerns. "At least 50% of the 71 operational gardens in Darjeeling have been severely impacted," he said. The region’s internal roads have been washed out, and while efforts are underway to clear the debris, the restoration of estate roads is critical to allow workers to return and ensure production can continue.

Lohia highlighted that the autumn harvest, which is already under threat, could suffer even more if road access is not restored promptly. "The loss will be significant if we cannot resume work in the next few days," he warned.

Extent of the Damage

The tea industry has reported that the western part of Darjeeling, including areas like Mirik and Pokhriabong, has been especially hard hit. Sandip Mukherjee, principal adviser to the Darjeeling Tea Association, revealed that, on average, each of the affected gardens lost between 2 to 2.47 acres of tea-bearing land due to the landslides. In some cases, the loss is even more severe.

"One of our 14 gardens reported a loss of 10,000 tea bushes, which is equivalent to two hectares," said Lohia. The ongoing recovery efforts are focused on rebuilding infrastructure and restoring damaged land. However, permanent damage to plantations is expected to have long-term consequences for the industry.

Human Toll and Relief Efforts

The human cost of the disaster has been tragic. Binod Mohan, owner of six tea gardens in the region, shared the heartbreaking news that two workers from his Seeyok estate lost their lives in the landslides, while many labourers' homes were washed away. "Around 60 to 70 landslides were reported in the 350-acre Seeyok garden, resulting in a loss of 20 acres of tea-bearing land," he said.

The landslides have claimed at least 32 lives, including children, and left many families homeless. With villages cut off from the outside world and roads severely damaged, recovery operations are slow, and the tea industry faces considerable challenges in restoring normal operations.

Impact on Darjeeling Tea Market

The loss of land and disruption in production have already started to affect the Darjeeling tea supply. Due to the damage, the quantity of Darjeeling tea available for auction at the Kolkata Tea Auction Centre is expected to be significantly lower than usual. This reduction in supply is likely to drive up prices for the highly sought-after aromatic tea.

With tea production already less than 6 million kg last year and the threat of a further dip this season, the industry is bracing for a tough period ahead. Planters have called for immediate relief and aid to help rebuild affected estates and support the workers who have been displaced.

The situation remains grim, and stakeholders are urging both the state and central governments to expedite their relief efforts and provide necessary assistance to the tea gardens and affected families.