Heavy rains in North Bengal have caused severe flooding, impacting forest areas and wildlife in the region, specifically around Gorumara National Park and Jaldapara National Park. A senior forest department official reported that the affected areas include Hamiltonganj under Buxa west in Alipurduar, forests under Jalpaiguri division, Jaldapara National Park (particularly the Sisamara zone), and Gorumara National Park.
The floods have taken a toll on wildlife. In Gorumara National Park, the carcass of a rhinoceros was discovered in the Jaldhaka river. Additionally, a herd of elephants became stranded midstream while attempting to cross the same river. In a separate incident, a baby elephant drowned in the Mechi river near Naxalbari after being swept away from its herd of approximately 30 elephants.
According to reports, six rhinos were washed away by the floodwaters. One rhino was found dead in Gorumara, and another was rescued from a village. In Jaldapara, four rhinos were observed struggling in the Torsa river; while two managed to reach the mainland, one was carried roughly 10 kilometers downstream towards Ghoksadanga in Cooch Behar, and the last remained untraced. An Indian gaur was also rescued in Jaldapara. Disturbing video footage has emerged of a rhino from Jaldapara National Park battling the strong currents of the Torsa river. The video was reportedly taken from the Shil Torsa bridge on National Highway 27.
Efforts are underway to rescue the stranded animals. Rescue teams and elephant squads have been deployed to assist in the operations. At least four to five elephants, including calves, from a herd of around 30, have been stuck in the Jaldhaka river near Panbari since Saturday night. Authorities are working to guide them back to the forest. The primary focus is on rescuing straying animals, according to Chief Wildlife Warden Sandeep Sundriyal.
The state's forest infrastructure has been severely affected by the floods. Koustav Choudhury of SNAP Foundation reported the death of a rhino at Medhla beat under Gorumara south division and the rescue of another rhino in Ramshai village. S P Pandey of Society for Protecting Ophiofauna & Animal Rights (SPOAR) noted the stranding of elephants in the Jaldhaka river.
Gorumara National Park, established in 1992, is known for its population of Indian rhinoceros. The park is located in the Dooars region of the Himalayan foothills, featuring riverine grasslands and forests. Jaldapara National Park is also home to a significant rhinoceros population, with the Torsa and Halong rivers flowing through it. The park boasts around 300 rhinos, and the grasslands are vital for their survival.
Flooding in the region is not new. In 2017, over 20% of Jaldapara National Park was submerged due to heavy rainfall, with the Torsha river and its tributaries exceeding danger levels. While floods can cause devastation, they also deposit silt that enriches the grasslands, benefiting the flora and fauna of the parks.
In addition to the impact on wildlife, the floods and landslides triggered by incessant rains have caused significant human casualties and infrastructural damage in the Darjeeling district. At least 20 lives have been lost, and several areas have been cut off due to landslides. Mirik and Sukhiapokhri are in dire condition, and rivers across North Bengal, including the Teesta, Torsa, Mahananda, and Jaldhaka, have dangerously risen.
Two elephants strayed into a tea garden in Jalpaiguri, damaging a school building. This was the fifth such incident in the past three years, causing disruption to the students.
The state government has announced compensation for the families of the deceased and is undertaking rescue and relief operations.
