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Torrential rain since early Saturday has unleashed widespread devastation across North Bengal, cutting off Darjeeling, Kalimpong and parts of Sikkim from the plains. Landslides, collapsed bridges and swollen rivers have left at least 17 people dead, a toll expected to rise as rescue teams struggle to reach remote hill settlements.

Unofficial reports suggest that over 20 people may have died so far. The situation is being compared to the catastrophic Teesta floods of 1968, one of the worst natural disasters in the region’s history.

Damage caused by flooding across North Bengal. Photo: By arrangement.

An average of 300 mms of rain poured down within 12 hours by early Sunday, triggering multiple landslides across the hills. Nine people were killed in Mirik after an iron bridge collapsed, seven died in Sukhiapokhri, and one person lost their life in Bijanbari. Several others remain missing in Sonada and Singmari, where landslides have buried sections of villages.

Rescue operations have been severely hampered by the continuous downpour and the collapse of key roads and bridges. Officials said three major hill districts — Darjeeling, Kurseong, and Kalimpong — remain inaccessible from the plains.

Two iron bridges........

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