North Bengal is reeling from devastating floods triggered by an unexpected change in the trajectory of a low-pressure system that originated in the Bay of Bengal. Meteorologists have confirmed that this unforeseen recurve led to extremely heavy and relentless rainfall, resulting in widespread destruction across the region. The downpour, which began on the evening of October 4 and continued into the morning of October 5, caused a flood-like situation and triggered numerous landslides in Darjeeling and its adjoining areas.
At least 28 people have died, with many more missing as rescue teams struggle to reach remote areas cut off by the deluge. The hill station of Mirik has been particularly hard hit. The Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, has announced immediate assistance and will visit North Bengal to oversee relief efforts and assess the situation.
The extreme rainfall caused rivers to swell, inundating vast areas across West Bengal and Bhutan. The Torsa River overflowed, prompting the Indian Army to launch a rescue mission in the Phuentsholing area of Bhutan, airlifting stranded civilians to safety. The Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) in Bhutan reported a technical failure in the dam's gates, causing the Tala Hydropower Dam to overflow, further exacerbating the flood situation in West Bengal's Dooars region.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall. On October 5, the agency confirmed that Jalpaiguri received 370 mm of rain from October 4 to the morning of October 5, while Darjeeling received 270 mm. The IMD has issued a Red warning for several places and predicts further rain in the coming days.
Several roads have been closed due to landslides, and National Highway 10, a crucial link to Sikkim, is blocked. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway has suspended service indefinitely. Two bridges have collapsed, including a portion of the Dudiya iron bridge over the Balasan river, disrupting communication between Siliguri and Mirik. Rohini Road, a major connector between Darjeeling and the plains, has also caved in.
Hundreds of tourists are stranded across Dooars, Kalimpong, and Darjeeling, facing power outages, poor connectivity, and washed-out roads. The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) has closed all tourist spots until further notice to ensure the safety of visitors.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed multiple teams in the affected areas, including Mirik, to conduct rescue and relief operations. The NDRF unit in Alipurduar has been placed on the "highest alert level," and additional rescuers have been deployed to reinforce ground response.
The state government has established 24x7 control rooms to assist affected people, and tourists in North Bengal are advised to stay put until safely evacuated by the police. People can connect with the Nabanna disaster management control room at +91 33 2214 3526 and +91 33 2253 5185, and toll-free numbers are +91 86979 81070 and 1070.
In response to the disaster, activists of Trinamool Congress are providing support to those affected by the floods. Abhishek Banerjee, the party's national general secretary, has appealed to party workers to reach out and assist the affected with compassion. BJP's Bengal chief, Samik Bhattacharya, has also expressed grief and offered the support of his party's activists. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured that the Centre is closely monitoring the situation and will provide all necessary assistance.
