Bengal Floods Leave Tourists Stranded in Hill Regions
A holiday in North Bengal’s hill regions turned disastrous for hundreds of tourists as continuous overnight rainfall triggered flash floods and landslides, cutting off road connections and submerging large areas. By Sunday morning, popular destinations including Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong, and the Dooars were isolated from the plains, leaving visitors trapped amid rising water levels and debris-laden roads.
The heavy rains, which began late on Saturday, brought record precipitation to the sub-Himalayan districts. Darjeeling recorded 261 mm, Cooch Behar 192 mm, and Jalpaiguri 172 mm within 24 hours. The intense downpour caused multiple landslides that blocked key routes such as Subash Ghisingh Marg (Siliguri-Kurseong) and NH10, the main highway connecting Sikkim and Kalimpong. Portions of NH110, linking Darjeeling to Siliguri, were partially reopened by the afternoon, and limited traffic resumed on NH10 after debris removal.
In the Dooars, overflowing rivers disrupted access to several eco-resorts and wildlife lodges. Tourists at the Madarihat Tourist Lodge near Jaldapara National Park were stranded when a wooden bridge over the Holong stream was washed away. Forest personnel had to use elephants to evacuate visitors, while car and elephant safaris in the park have been suspended until further notice.
The floods have caused significant casualties and damage. Over ten people lost their lives in Mirik, one of the hardest-hit areas in Darjeeling district, and several others remain missing as rescue operations continue in remote hillside villages. The Wangchu river in neighbouring Bhutan, known as the Raidak in Bengal, is flowing above danger levels, raising concerns about potential flooding downstream.