A wave of destruction swept through Darjeeling and parts of Jalpaiguri on Sunday, October 5, as relentless rains triggered one of the worst landslides in the region in a decade, killing at least 23 people and leaving hundreds stranded. The catastrophe, described by officials as the most severe since the 2015 landslide, buried homes, snapped highways, and isolated entire villages, turning the picturesque hill station into a zone of despair.
The landslides, which struck multiple locations including Mirik, Dhar Gaon, Jasbirgaon, and Nagrakata, were sudden and unforgiving. Survivors described the horror as “a wave of earth” crashing down in minutes, sweeping away everything in its path. Among the dead were children, elderly residents, and tourists who had arrived for Durga Puja holidays.
Darjeeling Landslide Impact – October 2025 Disaster Overview
| Location Affected | Fatalities | Key Damage Reported | Rescue Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mirik Basti | 11 | Homes flattened, roads buried | Ongoing |
| Dhar Gaon (Mechi) | 4 | Families trapped under debris | Partial clearance |
| Jasbirgaon | 3 | Tea worker settlements destroyed | Rescue underway |
| Nagrakata (Jalpaiguri) | 5 | Bridge collapse, communication cut | Relief camps active |
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee convened an emergency meeting at Nabanna and announced the opening of a 24×7 control room. She is scheduled to visit North Bengal on October 6 to assess the damage and oversee relief operations. “This is a tragedy of immense scale. We are mobilising all resources to rescue and rehabilitate affected families,” she said.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and civil defence teams have been working round the clock, often without rest. “We have not gone home since Saturday. Some of us lost friends in the slide,” said Rohit Chhetri, a civil defence volunteer near Teesta Bazar. “The ground is still unstable, but we can’t stop. People are waiting.”
Survivor Accounts – Voices from the Hills
Pema Bhutia, a 58-year-old tea worker from Mirik, stood before the ruins of her home and told reporters, “We have seen floods and storms, but never this. Everything happened in minutes. The hill just came down, like a wave of earth.”
Karma Sherpa, a 63-year-old taxi driver who has ferried relief workers since Sunday morning, recalled past disasters. “This town has suffered, but it always comes back. In 1968, hundreds died. In 2015, we buried friends. Every time the hill falls, we rise again.”
A rescue worker shared a moment of hope: “We found a child alive this morning under the debris. That gives us the strength to keep digging.”
Infrastructure Damage – Key Disruptions Across Darjeeling
| Infrastructure Element | Status | Impacted Areas | Estimated Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mirik–Sukhiapokhri Road | Blocked | Mirik, Lepchajagat | 5–7 days |
| Dudhia Bridge | Collapsed | Siliguri–Darjeeling route | 2 weeks (temporary fix) |
| Communication Lines | Snapped | Mirik, Ghoom, Sukia Pokhri | Partial restoration |
| Power Supply | Disrupted | Jasbirgaon, Dhar Gaon | 3–4 days |
Hundreds of tourists from Kolkata, Howrah, and Hooghly remain stranded in hill towns like Ghoom and Lepchajagat. Relief camps have been set up in coordination with NGOs, and food packets, blankets, and medical aid are being distributed.
The West Bengal government has announced compensation of ₹5 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured. Special trains and buses are being arranged to evacuate tourists once roads are cleared.
Government Response – Relief and Rehabilitation Measures
| Measure Announced | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Compensation for deceased families | ₹5 lakh per family | Disbursement started |
| Medical aid for injured | ₹50,000 per person | Hospitals activated |
| Control Room | 24×7 helpline at Nabanna | Operational |
| CM Visit | Mamata Banerjee to visit North Bengal | Scheduled Oct 6 |
| Evacuation Plan | Special trains, buses for tourists | In progress |
The landslides have reignited concerns over unchecked construction, deforestation, and poor drainage systems in the hills. Experts have long warned that Darjeeling’s fragile slopes are vulnerable to extreme weather events, especially during monsoon and post-monsoon periods.
Anit Thapa, chief executive of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), said landslides were reported from 35 locations. “This is the worst disaster since 2015. We need to rethink how we build and live in the hills,” he said.
Historical Context – Major Landslides in Darjeeling Region
| Year | Fatalities | Trigger Event | Long-Term Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 500+ | Torrential monsoon rains | Infrastructure overhaul |
| 2015 | 40 | Cloudburst and landslides | Road safety audits, new drainage plans |
| 2025 | 23 (so far) | Relentless post-monsoon rains | Rescue and policy review underway |
Social media platforms have been flooded with messages of solidarity and calls for accountability. Hashtags like #DarjeelingDisaster, #PrayForDarjeeling, and #HillRescue have trended across Twitter/X, Instagram, and Facebook.
Public Sentiment – Social Media Buzz on Darjeeling Landslide
| Platform | Engagement Level | Sentiment (%) | Top Hashtags |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twitter/X | 1.4M mentions | 92% empathetic | #DarjeelingDisaster #PrayForDarjeeling |
| 1.2M interactions | 88% supportive | #HillRescue #DarjeelingLandslide | |
| 950K views | 85% emotional | #DarjeelingRelief #NorthBengalFloods | |
| YouTube | 870K views | 80% informative | #DarjeelingNews #DisasterCoverage |
As rescue operations continue, the focus now shifts to rehabilitation and long-term planning. Experts from IIT Kharagpur and the Geological Survey of India have been called in to assess slope stability and recommend preventive measures.
In conclusion, the Darjeeling landslides of October 2025 have left a trail of death and destruction, but also stories of resilience and hope. As survivors rebuild and rescuers dig through debris, the hills once again remind us of their beauty—and their fragility. The challenge ahead lies not just in recovery, but in ensuring that such devastation is never repeated.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available news reports, verified government statements, and eyewitness accounts. It does not constitute emergency advice or prediction of future events. Readers are advised to follow updates from the West Bengal government and disaster response authorities for accurate information.
