Intense rainfall triggers widespread slope failures, floods and structural damage in Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri

The Indian Himalayan region of North Bengal and neighboring Jalpaiguri district witnessed a severe calamity during the recent southwest monsoon surge, as 23 people have been so far reported to lost their lives in landslides and flash floods triggered by extreme rainfall.

According to officials, the rain began Saturday night and intensified dramatically in multiple sectors. Kurti, in Jalpaiguri, recorded over 370 mm of rainfall in a short span. Rivers swelled, forested hillsides became saturated, and torrents swept across valleys, obliterating houses, bridges, roads, and farmland.

In Darjeeling district, the death toll reached to 18, while the Jalpaiguri district accounted for the remaining 5 deaths.

Landslides were reported in 35 locations within the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) area. Infrastructure damage reported in 8 roads, 2 bridges, and 2 dams.

State and district authorities issued alerts, mobilized National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, and set up camps for displaced residents. The Chief Minister of West Bengal is slated to visit the affected region to coordinate relief efforts and assess infrastructure damage.