Darjeeling Rains Live Updates: At least 20 killed, rescue ops underway; Mamata Banerjee to visit affected areas tomorrow

After incessant rain left several dead and destroyed many houses in West Bengal’s Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Siliguri districts on Saturday night, the Opposition BJP has accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of insensitivity, arguing that instead of attending the Durga Puja Carnival on Kolkata’s Red Road on Sunday evening, she should have visited the flood-hit districts. Banerjee has said she will visit them on Monday.

“In the past 14 years, there has not been any change in the drainage system of North Bengal. There can be incessant rain, water can come from Bhutan, but going by the way several districts were flooded, it is clear that the municipalities led by the Government are incompetent. Today is not a happy day. Our CM, Mamata Banerjee, should have reached North Bengal today itself. But we see that she will participate in the Durga Puja carnival. In these difficult times, there was no need for the carnival,” said BJP state president Shamik Bhattacharya, who said he would leave for North Bengal on Monday morning.

At a press conference, Bhattacharya further stated that BJP MP Biplab Deb had spoken to the Sikkim chief minister regarding the safe return of tourists from West Bengal and Tripura who were stranded there. Read more

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday held a high-level meeting at Nabanna (state secretariat), opened a 24/7 control room, and said she was monitoring the situation.

The chief minister and other officials are scheduled to visit North Bengal on Monday. “I am deeply worried and concerned that several areas in both North Bengal and South Bengal have been flooded due to sudden huge rains within a few hours last night as well as due to rush of excessive river waters in our State from outside,” Banerjee wrote on her X handle.

C P Radhakrishnan, Vice President of India, expressed condolences over the loss of lives and wrote on X, "Deeply anguished by the tragic loss of lives in the bridge mishap in Darjeeling following heavy rains and landslides. Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured."

Union Minister Amit Shah expressed condolences over the loss of lives in Darjeeling and Kalimpong landslides. "Spoke with MP of Darjeeling, Shri @RajuBistaBJP, and took stock of the situation. Teams of the NDRF have reached the spot, and more teams are on standby to join them as and when needed. The BJP karyakartas are also providing necessary assistance to the people in need," Amit Shah wrote in a post on X.

In a statement, Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer, Northeast Frontier Railway said: “Due to heavy rain and water flowing over the railway tracks at certain locations in North Bengal under Alipurduar Division, it has been decided that a number of trains will be diverted/cancelled/short terminated as follows.”

North Bengal Rain Update: Trains Affected – Full List

Diversion of trains:

• Train No. 15483 (Alipurduar Jn. – Delhi) Express, commencing journey on 5th October, 2025, will be diverted
• Train No. 19306 (Kamakhya – Dr. Ambedkar Nagar) Express, commencing journey on 5th October, 2025, will be diverted
• Train No. 00234 (Sairang – Khagaria) Special, commenced journey on 4th October, 2025 will be diverted
• Train no. 15934 (Amritsar – New Tinsukia) Express, commenced journey on 3rd October, 2025 will be diverted
• Train no. 15622 (Anand Vihar Terminal – Kamakhya) Express, commenced journey on 3rd October, 2025 will be diverted
• Train no. 15484 (Delhi – Alipurduar Jn.) Express, commenced journey on 4th October, 2025 will be diverted
• Train no. 13150 (Alipurduar Jn. – Siliguri Jn.) Express, commencing journey on 5th October, 2025, will be diverted
• Train no. 12506 (Anand Vihar Terminal – Kamakhya) Express, commenced journey on 4th October, 2025 will be diverted
• Train no. 13149 (Sealdah – Alipurduar Jn.) Kanchankanya Express, commenced journey on 4th October, 2025 will be diverted Read more

Darjeeling MP Raju Bista Sunday assured that all Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers are being mobilized to assist people across Darjeeling hills, Terai, and Dooars region.

Taking to X, Bista wrote: "The devastating rain in the past few days has caused massive damages across our region. In the Terai belt, Siliguri, Matigara, Naxalbari and Phansidewa have suffered waterlogging. In Khoribari, Naxalbari areas, flood like situation prevails. All our BJP karyakartas are being mobilized to help and assist people across our Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars region."

The devastating rain in the past few days has caused massive damages across our region. In the Terai belt, Siliguri, Matigara, Naxalbari and Phansidewa have suffered waterlogging.

In Khoribari, Naxalbari areas, flood like situation prevails.

All our BJP karyakartas are being… pic.twitter.com/raku3Lko31

— Raju Bista (@RajuBistaBJP) October 5, 2025

The West Bengal police have launched a hotline to help stranded tourists in the North Bengal region.

“Due to heavy rains last night, some roads in Darjeeling have been flooded, causing traffic disruption. Road clearing work is underway and normal traffic is expected to resume soon. Tourists who are stranded or in need of assistance can contact the Darjeeling Police Control Room at +91 91478 89078,” the West Bengal Police posted on X.

Following a disaster advisory, the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) has ordered the immediate closure of all major tourist attractions, including Tiger Hill and Rock Garden, until further notice.

The superintendent of police in Darjeeling issued a public warning, advising travellers to avoid all unnecessary journeys and to remain alert, checking only verified sources for updates.

“Due to heavy rainfall last night, several landslides have occurred across the region, causing road blockages and unsafe travel conditions,” the order read.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her shock and sadness at the deaths of at least 14 people amid incessant rainfall that triggered multiple landslides in Darjeeling on Saturday.

"I am deeply worried and concerned that several areas in both North Bengal and South Bengal have been flooded due to sudden huge rains within a few hours last night as well as due to rush of excessive river waters in our State from outside," Banerjee wrote over a post on X.

"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," she added.

She also release hepline numbers for those in need of assistance in the region. She wrote: "State HQ and the districts are having 24×7 control rooms. Please connect my Nabanna Disaster Management Control Room at + 91 33 2214 3526 and +91 33 2253 5185, while the Toll Free Numbers are + 91 86979 81070 and 1070."

I am deeply worried and concerned that several areas in both North Bengal and South Bengal have been flooded due to sudden huge rains within a few hours last night as well as due to rush of excessive river waters in our State from outside.

Yesterday night there was sudden…

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) October 5, 2025

Intense rainfall beginning Saturday led water to flow over the railway tracks at certain locations across North Bengal, leading some of them to get diverted, cancelled and short-terminated Sunday afternoon.

Here's a list of trains that have been either diverted, cancelled, or short-terminated in North Bengal under Alipurduar Division:

Diversion of trains:

1. Train No. 13149 (Sealdah - Alipurduar Jn.) Kanchankanya Express, commenced journey on 4th October, 2025 will be diverted.

2. Train No. 15483 (Alipuduar Jn. - Delhi) Sikkim Mahananda Express, commencing journey on 5th October, 2025, will be diverted

3. Train No. 19306 (Kamakhya - Dr. Ambedkar Nagar) Express, commencing journey on 5th October, 2025, will be diverted.

Cancellation of trains on 05th October, 2025:

1. Train No. 15777/15778 (New Jalpaiguri – Alipurduar Jn. - New Jalpaiguri) Tourist Special 
2. Train No. 75742 (Dhubri - Siliguri Jn.) DEMU
3. Train No. 15467 (Siliguri Jn. - Bamanhat) Express

Short Termination of trains:

1. Train no. 15768 (Alipurduar Jn. – Siliguri Jn.) Intercity Express of 05th October, 2025 will be short terminated at Binnaguri
2. Train no. 75741 (Siliguri Jn. - Dhubri) DEMU of 05th October, 2025 will be short terminated at Gulma

The road network in North Bengal is severely damaged, with National Highways 10 and 717A being blocked by multiple landslides.

Here are the latest updates on status of routes in the region: 

• The collapse of the iron bridge between Mirik and Dudhia has isolated Siliguri and Mirik.
• The rising waters of the Teesta river, along with the failure of another iron bridge, have cut off access to Sikkim and Kalimpong.
• Rohini Road is completely closed and partially collapsed.
• The Panbu road to Kalimpong is open.
• The Tindharia road is operational for limited evacuations.
• A massive landslide has destroyed the bridge connecting Pulbazar to Thanaline.

The Darjeeling Police Sunday advised commuters to take the route via Ghoom, as they declared Mirik Road to be blocked amid heavy rainfall and multiple landslides.

"The road from Darjeeling to Siliguri via Tindharia (NH-110) is now open. But the Mirik road is still blocked. Those intending to travel to Mirik may take the route via Ghoom. However the update about the Mirik road will be promptly intimated," the Police said.

"Stay safe and follow official updates," the police added.

Abhishek Roy, Additional Superintendent of Police, Kurseong, confirmed the recovery of seven bodies from the debris, with efforts underway to retrieve two more.

ASP Roy said, “A landslide occurred at Dilaram on the Kurseong road that goes to Darjeeling. That road is blocked. The Rohini road is also blocked due to a landslide at Gourishankar. The Pankahabri road’s condition is extremely poor. The Tindharia road is functioning right now. We are trying to evacuate all the tourists in Mirik in three to four hours through Tindharia.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday condoled the deaths of at least 14 people in Darjeeling as incessant rainfall triggered multiple landslides across the hilly region on Saturday.

Taking to X, Modi shared, "Deeply pained by the loss of lives due to a bridge mishap in Darjeeling. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon."

He added, "The situation in Darjeeling and surrounding areas is being closely monitored in the wake of heavy rains and landslides. We are committed to providing all possible assistance to those affected."

Deeply pained by the loss of lives due to a bridge mishap in Darjeeling. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon.

The situation in Darjeeling and surrounding areas is being closely monitored in the wake of heavy rains and landslides. We…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 5, 2025

At least 14 people were killed in incessant rainfall that triggered multiple landslides in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal on Saturday.

Rescue operations are facing significant challenges due to severe weather and widespread damage, raising concerns that the number of casualties may increase. 

Welcome to our live blog. Please follow here for the latest updates on rains in Darjeeling here!

Darjeeling Rains Live Updates: In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, 'Deeply pained by the loss of lives due to a bridge mishap in Darjeeling. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The situation in Darjeeling and surrounding areas is being closely monitored in the wake of heavy rains and landslides. We are committed to providing all possible assistance to those affected.'

Deeply pained by the loss of lives due to a bridge mishap in Darjeeling. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon.

The situation in Darjeeling and surrounding areas is being closely monitored in the wake of heavy rains and landslides. We…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 5, 2025