Darjeeling Landslides: At Least 10 Dead, More Feared Trapped
DARJEELING: A series of devastating landslides, triggered by over 48 hours of relentless heavy rain, has claimed at least 10 lives across West Bengal’s Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts. With numerous people still reported missing and rescue operations hampered by treacherous conditions, officials fear the death toll is likely to rise.
The non-stop downpour has saturated the fragile hillsides of the region, leading to catastrophic landslips that have swept away homes, buried families, and severed critical transport links.
Widespread Destruction and Disruption
The ‘Queen of the Hills’ is currently battling a large-scale natural disaster. Reports from remote areas paint a grim picture of destruction:
- Homes Destroyed: Entire homes, many built on vulnerable slopes, have been engulfed by torrents of mud, rock, and debris.
- Roads Blocked: The vital National Highway 10, connecting Sikkim and Kalimpong to the rest of the country, has been blocked in multiple locations. Many other arterial roads are either washed away or buried, effectively isolating dozens of towns and villages.
- Public Fear: A deep sense of fear has gripped the local populace as the incessant rain continues to fuel anxiety about further landslides.
Rescue Operations Underway Amidst Treacherous Conditions
In the face of this catastrophe, a massive search and rescue operation has been launched. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is working alongside the state police, local administration, and community volunteers in a desperate race against time.
Rescue teams are clawing through tonnes of mud and rubble, often in perilous conditions, to find survivors. The challenging terrain and persistent rain are significantly hampering their efforts, making every step of the operation a dangerous endeavour.
Government Response and Relief Efforts
The West Bengal state administration has been jolted into action. The office of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is monitoring the situation, while the District Magistrates of Darjeeling and Kalimpong are coordinating relief efforts on the ground.
The immediate priorities, according to officials, are:
1. Rescue: To locate and rescue individuals still trapped under the debris.
2. Restore Connectivity: To clear the blocked roads to allow relief supplies to reach the worst-affected areas and to evacuate those in need.
Temporary relief camps are being established to provide shelter, food, water, and medical aid to the hundreds of people who have lost their homes.
A Recurring Tragedy in a Fragile Region
While the immediate cause is the extreme weather, this event highlights the recurring vulnerability of the Himalayan region. The fragile geology, combined with increasing deforestation and often unplanned construction, makes the area acutely susceptible to landslides during the monsoon season.
As the search for the missing continues, this tragedy serves as another stark reminder of the urgent need for sustainable development and improved disaster-preparedness in India’s ecologically sensitive mountain regions.
