News Brief
Seventeen Dead As Landslides Ravage Darjeeling After Heavy Rainfall, Cut Off Road Links To Sikkim
Darjeeling Landslides Kill 14, Disrupt Road Links to Sikkim (X)
Heavy rainfall in West Bengal’s Darjeeling triggered landslides overnight, killing 17 people and cutting road connectivity to Sikkim, reported NDTV.
The disaster disrupted travel on key routes and halted movement between Bengal and the Himalayan state.
Last night, Darjeeling received intense rainfall, causing landslides in Mirik and Sukhia Pokhari.
Police and local authorities launched rescue operations to assist stranded residents and tourists.
Roadblocks emerged on major routes, including the road linking Darjeeling to Siliguri and the route to Sikkim.
Thousands of tourists from Kolkata and other parts of Bengal, who travel to Darjeeling after Durga Puja, are likely to be affected.
In response, the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) ordered the closure of major tourist spots such as Tiger Hill and Rock Garden, and suspended the toy train service to ensure safety.
Authorities advised residents and visitors to monitor weather and road updates closely.
Heavy rains also disrupted Jalpaiguri, Siliguri, and Cooch Behar, causing waterlogging in many areas.
The weather office issued two red warnings for Sikkim, forecasting thunderstorms, lightning, heavy rain, and gusty winds until 7 October.
Officials warned of possible flash floods. I
mages from the region showed washed-out roads, damaged bridges, and swollen rivers.
Nepal also reported heavy losses, with 22 deaths in the past 36 hours due to similar weather conditions.
