Rain's Fury Unleashes Havoc: Landslides Devastate Darjeeling and Kalimpong, Leaving a Trail of Destruction

A catastrophic deluge of rain has unleashed widespread devastation across the picturesque hills of Darjeeling and Kalimpong in West Bengal, triggering multiple landslides that have claimed lives, obliterated homes, and left countless individuals, including tourists, stranded. The grim reality emerged on Wednesday as rescue teams battled relentless conditions to reach affected areas, revealing a landscape scarred by nature's fury.

The disaster, primarily concentrated in the Kalimpong district, witnessed the tragic death of at least one individual when their home succumbed to the immense force of a landslide.

This loss of life underscores the immediate and severe danger posed by the unfolding crisis. While West Bengal grapples with its immediate impact, the ripple effect extends to neighboring Sikkim, where a more staggering toll of over 30 lives has been lost to flash floods and landslides, highlighting the regional scale of this natural calamity.

The extent of the destruction is profound.

Several residential structures were completely swept away in Bijanbari, a locality within Darjeeling, and similar scenes of ruin unfolded in Kalimpong's Poolbazar, Pankhabari, and 29 Mile areas. The very ground beneath these homes gave way, turning once-stable dwellings into piles of debris or washing them into the swollen rivers below.

A critical lifeline for the region, National Highway 10 (NH-10), which serves as the primary road link connecting Siliguri to both Sikkim and Kalimpong, has suffered immense and extensive damage at numerous points.

This vital artery is now impassable, effectively isolating communities and severely hampering rescue and relief efforts. Consequently, an estimated 20 to 30 tourists are believed to be stranded within Kalimpong district, cut off from escape routes and in urgent need of assistance.

The relentless rainfall has also caused the mighty Teesta River, a significant waterway in Sikkim and north Bengal, to swell perilously above its danger mark, exacerbating the risk of further flooding and complicating rescue operations.

Beyond physical destruction, the region has been plunged into an information blackout, with power and communication lines severely disrupted, making it challenging to assess the full scope of the disaster and coordinate relief.

In response to the escalating crisis, dedicated teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local police, and civil defence personnel have been mobilized.

They are working tirelessly, often in treacherous conditions, to conduct rescue missions, evacuate affected individuals, and provide essential aid. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is closely monitoring the dire situation, emphasizing the state's commitment to mitigating the impact and supporting those affected by this devastating natural event.