Torrential Downpours Cause Landslides in Darjeeling, Leading to the Death of a Six-Year-Old Girl and Another Victim
Over the past week, incessant, heavy rainfall across West Bengal's Darjeeling has led to a series of landslides, causing damage to property, displacing families, and resulting in at least four fatalities.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported rainfall of up to 72mm in Darjeeling, 64mm in Siliguri, and 63mm in Malda in the 24 hours till Wednesday morning, with more heavy rain forecast for North Bengal and Sikkim in the coming days. Prolonged saturation weakens soil and rock structures on hill slopes, making them prone to collapse, especially in areas with existing vulnerabilities such as deforested patches, poorly maintained infrastructure, and unplanned construction.
Local authorities and residents have pointed to longstanding issues with drainage, infrastructure, and civic maintenance as contributing factors. For instance, recurring promises to upgrade the sewerage system have reportedly not been fulfilled, exacerbating waterlogging and erosion during monsoon. Additionally, a tree that fell onto a school playground had been previously identified as a hazard, but removal efforts were reportedly halted midway.
Multiple landslides occurred across several municipal wards in Darjeeling, blocking key roads and damaging property. Ward 17 was particularly affected, with around ten houses damaged, and families temporarily relocated to a hotel. In another incident, a six-year-old girl was reportedly buried alive when a huge rock fell on her in Darjeeling's Lower Gok area. At least four fatalities have been reported in separate incidents over two days, including two children.
Rescue operations are underway, though blocked roads and ongoing heavy rain have hampered efforts. Councillors and local authorities are providing temporary shelter and searching for rented accommodations for displaced families. The recurring nature of these disasters has sparked criticism from residents and opposition parties, questioning the effectiveness of civic measures and fund utilization for infrastructure upgrades.
| Area Affected | Casualties/Displacement | Main Cause | Rescue Status | |------------------------------|--------------------------------------|---------------------------|------------------------------| | Ward 17, Darjeeling | 10 families displaced | Landslide | Temporary shelter provided | | Takdah, Rongli Rongliot | Property damage | Tree fall | — | | Pulung Dong Tea Estate | — | Landslide | — | | Charchare Bari Jamuney | 1 adult killed | Landslide | Body recovered | | Lower Goke | 1 child killed | Landslide | — | | Limbu residence (near home) | 1 adult, 1 child killed | Landslide, working slope | Bodies recovered | | Salvation Army School | — | Tree fall | — |
The situation underscores the urgent need for improved slope stabilization, drainage systems, and proactive hazard mitigation in Darjeeling’s hilly terrain. Ongoing rescue and relief work continues, with a focus on safeguarding vulnerable populations and restoring critical infrastructure.
The incessant rainfall and landslides in Darjeeling have highlighted the importance of improving slope stabilization, drainage systems, and proactive hazard mitigation for the health and safety of its residents, particularly considering the recurring nature of these disasters. The ongoing rescue and relief efforts, while hampered by heavy weather, also underscore the need for better environmental-science and science-based approaches to infrastructure and civic maintenance in the region, in an effort to minimize future damages and losses.
