Incessant monsoon showers triggered a series of landslides across Darjeeling on Monday, damaging homes, displacing families, and once again exposing the fragile ecological and infrastructure condition of this hill district. While no casualties have been reported, several localities witnessed structural damage, prompting emergency response and relief measures by authorities. Among the most affected areas was Ward 17, where around ten homes were impacted after landslides swept through parts of the neighbourhood. Two quarters belonging to the tourism department were also damaged, while another wall collapse was reported in Ward 23.
In Toong Soong, a house was struck by a tree fall, and in another alarming incident, a large tree crashed onto the playground of a school for children with hearing disabilities, raising concerns over institutional safety preparedness in landslide-prone areas. Officials confirmed that the tree had earlier been identified as a hazard, and the school administration had formally requested for its removal. However, the tree-cutting process was halted midway, leaving students vulnerable. Representatives from the school have reiterated the need for proactive safety actions, stressing that the outcome could have been tragic had the incident occurred during class hours.
Rainfall data from the last 24 hours paints a clear picture of the deluge’s intensity: Darjeeling recorded 42.4 mm, Siliguri 11.4 mm, Kurseong 47 mm, and Mirik a staggering 70 mm. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued continued rainfall alerts across North Bengal, attributing the moisture-heavy system to strong incursions from the Bay of Bengal.Rescue and assessment operations are underway, with district officials confirming that the affected families in Ward 17 have been relocated to temporary accommodation in a nearby hotel. Efforts are also being made to secure rented housing for the displaced. Relief materials have been dispatched to vulnerable locations, and restoration work has started in areas where fresh landslides have been reported.
According to administrative sources, several of these hill wards remain structurally unstable, and the increasing frequency of such events signals the urgent need for sustainable slope management and rainwater drainage infrastructure. Authorities have urged the public to alert local departments in case of emergencies, as monsoon conditions are expected to persist. As extreme weather events become increasingly common in Himalayan regions, Darjeeling’s vulnerability underscores the importance of long-term urban and ecological resilience planning. With the district being a critical tourism and education hub, building inclusive and climate-resilient infrastructure is not only a civic need but a social imperative.
While officials continue to monitor conditions closely, the events serve as a pressing reminder for authorities to implement preventive environmental measures—ensuring that no child, home, or heritage structure faces avoidable risks during this volatile season.
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