Darjeeling Landslide Tragedy: 28 Dead as Bhutan Warns West Bengal Over Dam Overflow

The hill district of Darjeeling is facing one of its worst natural disasters in recent years after incessant rainfall triggered landslides that have claimed at least 28 lives. Several people are still missing, while thousands have been displaced. The situation has been further complicated as Bhutan issued a formal warning to West Bengal following an overflow at the Tala Hydropower Dam , raising fears of downstream flooding in the Dooars region.

Landslides Wreak Havoc in Darjeeling

Continuous rainfall over the past few days has left Darjeeling in devastation. The worst-affected regions include Mirik and Sukhia Pokhari, where roads have collapsed, bridges have been destroyed, and houses have been swept away. Several villages remain cut off, with emergency teams struggling to reach them due to blocked routes and damaged infrastructure. According to reports, thirteen bodies have already been recovered in Mirik. Another ten individuals, including a tourist from Kolkata, are still missing. Authorities fear the death toll could rise as access to remote hilltop areas is restored.

Record-Breaking Rainfall

Darjeeling has received unprecedented rainfall, recording 261 millimetres in just 24 hours. This has been classified as “extremely heavy rainfall” by meteorological experts. Other regions of North Bengal have also witnessed alarming precipitation levels, with Cooch Behar recording 192 mm, Jalpaiguri 172 mm, and Gajoldoba in Jalpaiguri a staggering 300 mm. The sudden and intense rainfall has overwhelmed natural drainage systems, increasing the risks of both landslides and floods in the adjoining plains.

Bhutan Issues Warning Over Tala Dam Overflow

Adding to the crisis, Bhutan’s National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology confirmed that the Tala Hydropower Dam had suffered a malfunction in its gates, preventing them from opening. This technical glitch caused river water to spill over the structure. The Druk Green Power Corporation, which manages the dam, has communicated the situation to Indian authorities. Bhutan has officially warned the West Bengal government of the potential downstream impact, urging urgent preparedness along the Indo-Bhutan border areas.

NDRF on Highest Alert

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has placed its team in Alipurduar on “the highest alert level.” All personnel currently on leave have been called back, and reinforcements are being sent to strengthen the response. Fifteen additional rescuers from Siliguri are already on their way to assist. NDRF Deputy Inspector General Mohsen Shahedi stated, “Our personnel are engaged in locating missing persons and helping stranded villagers.” Three teams are currently deployed from Darjeeling, Siliguri, and Alipurduar, while two more teams are arriving from Malda and Kolkata.

Rising Fear of Flash Floods

Meteorologists have warned of further complications as a storm system moving from eastern Uttar Pradesh is expected to reach North Bengal. If rainfall continues in Bhutan’s hilly regions, the risk of swelling rivers and flash floods will rise dramatically in already vulnerable districts like Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar. The overflow from Tala Dam, combined with extreme rainfall, has put authorities on edge, forcing disaster management units to work around the clock.

Loss of Connectivity and Infrastructure

Apart from the human toll, the disaster has severely damaged the region’s infrastructure. Roads linking major towns in Darjeeling district have caved in, isolating remote villages. The collapse of bridges has hindered relief operations, while communication lines remain down in several higher-altitude areas. This has slowed down rescue efforts and prevented the timely delivery of relief supplies to those trapped in landslide-hit zones.

Humanitarian Challenges

Local residents have been forced to evacuate their homes, taking shelter in temporary camps set up by authorities. Food, drinking water, and medical supplies are in short supply. With the tourism season around the corner, businesses in Darjeeling fear long-term economic losses as the region’s transport and hospitality sectors have been badly hit. Mirik, a popular tourist destination known for Sumendu Lake and Kanchenjunga views, has been one of the hardest hit by landslides.

Government Response and Outlook

The West Bengal government is coordinating with Bhutanese authorities to monitor the situation at Tala Dam. Disaster management teams, supported by the NDRF, are focusing on rescue operations while also preparing for potential downstream flooding. Officials have urged residents of low-lying regions near the Indo-Bhutan border to remain vigilant. Relief measures are being expedited, but challenges persist due to terrain and weather conditions.

The unfolding crisis in Darjeeling and the Dooars is a stark reminder of the growing vulnerability of Himalayan regions to climate extremes. The combination of heavy rainfall, fragile terrain, and dam-related risks highlights the urgent need for better disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience. With rescue efforts ongoing and the weather outlook still uncertain, North Bengal stands at a critical juncture, awaiting both relief and recovery.