North Bengal Landslides: Rescue Operations Gain Momentum As Weather Improves

The administration, along with rescue teams, expressed relief on Monday as operations in the Terai and Dooars regions intensified following improved weather conditions.

Scattered rainfall occurred across North Bengal late on Sunday night and early Monday morning, but the rain subsided quickly, leaving clear skies.

The Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata’s Alipore reported that although isolated showers and thunderstorms could occur in some of the eight districts of North Bengal, heavy rainfall was unlikely in most areas, except for Alipurduar.

“The weather is improving in the North Bengal hills. There may be scattered rains, but no heavy rainfall is expected, except in Alipurduar district,” stated a Met department official.

Impact of Previous Rains and Landslides

Days of incessant rainfall had triggered massive landslides, claiming at least 23 lives as of Monday morning, according to reports from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and district administrations.

The Darjeeling hills recorded 261 millimetres of rainfall within 24 hours since Saturday, causing rivers such as the Teesta, Torsa, and Mahananda to swell.

Overflowing rivers damaged several roads, bridges, and culverts, cutting off connectivity to affected areas, particularly Mirik and Sukhiya Pokhari, where many tourists remained stranded.

With improved weather, rescue operations in Darjeeling and Kalimpong have accelerated. Authorities are working around the clock to recover victims and restore access to isolated villages.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will visit North Bengal later in the day to oversee ongoing efforts. Officials have cautioned that the death toll could rise as rescue and recovery operations continue.

Tourist Evacuation

Tourists stranded in the hills for several days began descending to the plains on Monday.

Authorities rerouted visitors via Tindharia Road and Pankhabari Road as landslides blocked the shortest route to Siliguri.

“Since Tindharia Road is less remote compared to Pankhabari Road, most tourists use this route to reach Siliguri,” a Darjeeling district official reported.

The improvement in weather conditions has provided much-needed relief to rescue teams and stranded residents.

Authorities continue to monitor rainfall and river levels while prioritising the safe evacuation of tourists and the restoration of infrastructure.

Also Read: From PM Modi To Amit Shah: Leaders Praise Jitan Ram Manjhi On His Birthday