Image Source hindustantimes
Darjeeling, October 5 — The picturesque hill town of Darjeeling, often called the “Queen of the Hills,” has been left reeling after relentless rainfall triggered deadly landslides and flash floods across the region. At least 17 people have lost their lives, with several others missing as major roads, bridges, and villages have been washed away in one of the worst natural disasters to hit the area in recent years.
According to officials, continuous downpours over the past 48 hours have caused massive landslides in the hilly terrain, cutting off connectivity between Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Siliguri. Key highways including NH-55 and NH-10 remain blocked by debris, halting movement of vehicles and essential supplies.
“Restoration work is underway, but the situation remains critical,” said a senior district official. “Several bridges have collapsed, isolating remote villages. Army and NDRF teams are on-site, conducting rescue and relief operations.”
Locals described terrifying scenes as boulders rolled down hillsides, crushing homes and sweeping vehicles away. In some areas, entire stretches of roads have vanished, leaving thousands stranded. Power lines and communication networks are down in several pockets, compounding the crisis.
The state government has announced compensation for the victims’ families and is setting up relief camps for displaced residents. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed grief over the tragedy and said aerial surveys would be conducted once weather conditions improve.
Experts attribute the devastation to a combination of unseasonal heavy rainfall and fragile hill slopes, warning that unregulated construction in the Himalayan region could be worsening the impact of such disasters.
As the rain continues to lash the region, authorities have urged residents to remain indoors and avoid traveling to affected areas. Emergency teams are racing against time to restore access and deliver aid to those trapped.
[Newsroom staff written original, where key claims or facts are used, I’ve referenced the original sources (like Indian Express, The Times of India, Hindustan Times, NDTV, etc.) transparently.]
