Darjeeling landslides disrupted operations at Takdah Rural Hospital early on Friday after intense rainfall in the hills, while the India Meteorological Department warned of more heavy to very heavy rain in Darjeeling and neighbouring districts through the weekend.
A landslide struck the hospital around 3am, slightly injuring a patient’s relative, Darjeeling district magistrate Harishankar Panicker told PTI. None of the patients was injured, and they were shifted to the district hospital shortly after the incident, he said.
The district magistrate said landslides were also reported at other locations in Darjeeling district. The debris was cleared quickly and most roads remained open to traffic, according to his statement.
Darjeeling recorded 153 mm of rain in the 24 hours up to 8.30am on Friday, the highest total reported in West Bengal during that period, according to IMD data. Neighbouring Kalimpong recorded 113 mm. Siliguri received 84 mm and Bagdogra 80 mm, while Medinipur recorded 74 mm, Purulia 56 mm and Kalaikunda 54 mm.
The IMD attributed the heavy rainfall to a depression over interior Odisha and an active monsoon. It forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in Darjeeling district until Saturday morning, followed by heavy rain until Sunday. Similar conditions are likely in Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri.
The weather office warned of possible landslides in Darjeeling and Kalimpong as the rain continues. The warning has direct implications for hill roads and public facilities, where access can be disrupted when slope debris reaches road corridors or built-up areas.
The forecast also covers several districts in south and western West Bengal. Heavy rainfall is expected in Purulia, Bankura, Paschim Bardhaman, Birbhum, Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur and Jhargram until Saturday morning.
Kolkata recorded 36 mm of rainfall during the same 24-hour period, while neighbouring Dum Dum received 32 mm, the IMD data showed. The district administration’s immediate response in Darjeeling involved shifting patients from the affected rural hospital and clearing debris from roads. The IMD forecast remains in force through Sunday, with further rainfall and landslide risks expected in the northern hill districts.
