West Bengal rains: 18 dead in Darjeeling, CM Mamata to visit affected areas today

Darjeeling (West Bengal) [India], October 6 (ANI): At least 18 people were reported to be killed in Darjeeling as in incessant rain that wreaked havoc in West Bengal's north on Saturday night and early Sunday, the district authorities confirmed on Monday.
The authorities noted that 11 people were killed in heavy rains in the tourist town of Mirik till October 5. In Jorebunglow four people were killed, while in Sukhia Pokhari two people were killed and in Darjeeling Sadar, one person passed away in the heavy rain that battered the state.
"So far report of 18 casualties has been collected. It is likely that, the number will rise as some are reported to be missing especially residing in the river side area," the district authorites said in a statement today.
The relentless rain triggered flash floods and landslides in Darjeeling and surrounding areas of West Bengal.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on Sunday conducted flood and water rescue operations in the flood-affected areas and evacuated over 160 people following the heavy rains.
According to the rescue team, a total of 105 people were evacuated by boats, while another 55 were rescued via zip lines in Jalpaiguri.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief on social media platform X over the loss of lives caused by the heavy rain and landslides in Darjeeling and adjoining areas.
"The tragic loss of lives due to heavy rain and landslides in Darjeeling, West Bengal, is distressing. I express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the success of rescue and relief operations and wish a speedy recovery to those injured" President Murmu posted on X yesterday.
"Deeply pained by the loss of lives due to a bridge mishap in Darjeeling... The situation is being closely monitored in the wake of heavy rain and landslides. We are committed to providing all possible assistance," PM Modi said.
Continuous heavy rainfall on Saturday and Sunday has caused large-scale destruction in parts of the Darjeeling district, particularly in the Mirik and Sukhia Pokhari areas, where roads and houses have been washed away. The landslides have also disrupted connectivity on several routes, including key rural link roads, hampering access to relief operations.
An iron bridge over the Balasan river at Dudhia, that connects Siliguri and Mirikat, collapsed.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held an emergency virtual meeting and said she will visit the disaster zone today.
"Several areas in both north and south Bengal have been flooded due to sudden huge rain and excessive river waters from Bhutan and Sikkim," Banerjee posted on X yesterday.
"Rainfall exceeded 300mm in 12 hours last night. I convey my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and have ordered immediate assistance." she said.
"There was simultaneously excessive flow of water into Sankosh river and generally flow of river waters from Bhutan and Sikkim. This caused disasters. We have been shocked and saddened to know that we have lost some brothers and sisters in the situation evolved by huge rainfall and river floods. I convey my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and shall send all assistance to the families immediately," the CM's X post read.
Further, she said that two iron bridges have collapsed, several roads have been damaged and flooded, huge tracts of land in the districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar have been inundated.
The Chief minister noted that ave been reports of worrying damages and losses particularly in Mirik, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Matigara and Alipurduar.
"I have been monitoring the situation from last night on round- the- clock basis. I have held virtual meeting with Chief Secretary, DG of Police, the North Bengal DMs and SPs, and the meeting has been attended also by public representatives like Gautam Deb and Anit Thapa. I am in constant touch and am personally going to North Bengal with my Chief Secretary tomorrow in this connection.," CM said in her post yesterday.
She also directed closure of all tourist sites in affected areas and released emergency helpline numbers from the Nabanna control room, assuring tourists that rescue costs would be borne by the state. (ANI)