Heavy rains triggered a deadly landslide in Mirik, Darjeeling, killing several people and destroying the Dudia Iron Bridge, a key link to Kurseong. Rescue efforts are underway as more rain looms.
PC Bureau
October 5, 2025 — At least seven people have been confirmed dead after a massive landslide struck Mirik in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district on Saturday, officials said. Unconfirmed report put the toll at 16. The disaster, triggered by relentless rainfall over the past week, has not only claimed lives but also caused the collapse of the Dudia Iron Bridge — a vital connection between Mirik and Kurseong, two of the most visited hill towns in the region.
The Disaster Unfolds
According to district administration sources, the landslide occurred in the early hours of Saturday following continuous heavy downpour that loosened the fragile hillside. Rescue teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local police, and army personnel, rushed to the site to retrieve bodies and search for survivors. Authorities fear the death toll could rise as several people are still missing.
“The situation is grim. Seven bodies have been recovered so far, and search operations are continuing despite the difficult terrain and weather,” said a senior Darjeeling district official.
Infrastructure Devastation
The collapse of the Dudia Iron Bridge has dealt a severe blow to connectivity in the region. The bridge, which connected Mirik to Kurseong, served as a lifeline for locals, tourists, and the tea industry. Its destruction has effectively cut off road access, leaving hundreds stranded.
Engineers from the Public Works Department (PWD) have been deployed to assess the extent of damage and explore temporary solutions. However, officials admit that restoring connectivity will take time given the scale of destruction.
VIDEO | Seven dead as heavy rain triggers landslides in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district.
(Source: Third Party)
(Disclaimer: This is a developing story)
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— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 5, 2025
Human Toll and Relief Efforts
Families of the victims are being provided compensation under state disaster relief provisions. The West Bengal government has announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of those killed and ₹50,000 for the injured. Relief camps have been set up in Mirik to shelter displaced residents whose homes were either destroyed or rendered unsafe by the landslide.
Medical teams have been dispatched to the camps to prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases, which often follow such disasters in the hills. Schools and community halls are being converted into temporary shelters as rain continues to lash the district.
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Voices from the Ground
For locals, the tragedy is a grim reminder of the vulnerability of Darjeeling’s ecology. “We are used to landslides every monsoon, but this is the worst in recent memory. People are terrified, and the collapse of the bridge has left us completely isolated,” said Rajen Tamang, a resident of Mirik.
Tourists stranded in Mirik have expressed frustration at the lack of alternative routes and fear about their safety. Local hotel associations have offered free accommodation to those stuck in the hill town until evacuation routes can be secured.
Massive landslide and rainfall since the last 24 hours have taken 16 lives so far.
Darjeeling is separated from the rest of the country,roads are blocked,bridges collapsed,no electricity, no water.
| BB SHOW MORE OF BASEER |#Darjeeling #Landslide #BiharTeachersMatter pic.twitter.com/D6VYPYDFCx
— Rebel_Warriors (@Rebel_Warriors) October 5, 2025
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed grief over the deaths and said all possible measures were being taken to aid those affected. “Our priority is to save lives, restore connectivity, and ensure relief reaches every corner,” she said in a statement. She has directed senior ministers and officials to oversee operations on the ground.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Darjeeling and adjoining districts, warning of more heavy rainfall over the next 48 hours. Officials have urged people living in landslide-prone areas to move to safer locations.
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Experts have long warned about the fragile geology of Darjeeling’s hills, where rampant construction, deforestation, and climate change have increased the frequency and intensity of landslides. Environmentalists have called for stricter zoning regulations and long-term disaster preparedness plans to mitigate future tragedies.
“This disaster is not an isolated event; it is a symptom of years of neglect and unsustainable development in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem,” said a geologist at Jadavpur University.
As rescue operations continue, the immediate challenge remains reopening connectivity between Mirik and Kurseong. For now, local authorities are working on clearing debris and setting up temporary bridges to restore basic movement.
But for the people of Darjeeling, the landslide has once again underlined the precarious balance between life and nature in the hills — a balance that is becoming harder to maintain as extreme weather events intensify year after year.
