Bengal floods: 28 die as heavy rain batters Darjeeling hills, Mirik worst-hit; CM Mamata Banerjee to visit affected areas today

On the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, heavy rain battered the hills with Mirik being the worst-hit zone in the northern part of the state.

Thirteen bodies were recovered only from Mirik, which is known for its serene natural beauty, tea gardens, and peaceful lakeside setting — making it a popular getaway in the Darjeeling hills.

Road connectivity in key routes has been disrupted in the region.

The hill station usually remains very busy in this part of the year with tourists pouring during the festival season.

Officials warned that the death toll may rise as rescue operations by the Darjeeling District Police continue amid persistent bad weather.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued two red alerts overnight for all six districts of Sikkim, warning of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds up to 40 kmph.

By early morning on October 5, the alert was downgraded to orange, but officials said rainfall is likely to continue until October 7.

Authorities have also cautioned that downstream flash floods may occur in parts of north Bengal due to heavy rainfall in neighbouring Bhutan.

In 24 hours from 8 am on Saturday, Darjeeling received 261 mm of rain, Cooch Behar 192 mm, Jalpaiguri 172 mm, The Times of India reported.

Gajoldoba in another North Bengal district Jalpaiguri received massive 300 mm of rain.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on social media the authorities were closely monitoring the situation.

In an X post, the PM said, "Authorities are closely monitoring the situation in Darjeeling and surrounding areas affected by heavy rainfall and landslides. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Wishing the injured a quick recovery."

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who held a virtual meeting with the concerned officials on the situation, will on Monday visit the area.

She wrote on X, "... I have been monitoring the situation from last night on round- the- clock basis. I have held virtual meeting with Chief Secretary, DG of Police, the North Bengal DMs and SPs, and the meeting has been attended also by public representatives like Gautam Deb and Anit Thapa. I am in constant touch and am personally going to North Bengal with my Chief Secretary tomorrow in this connection.

"Meanwhile, we are advising the tourists in North Bengal to stay put where they are till our police evacuates them safely. Rescue costs are ours and tourists need not be anxious..."

The political battle over the floods started as the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has slammed the Chief Minister for participating in gala Durga Puja carnival in Kolkata while one part of the state was devastated due to the natural calamity.

Hitting out at the CM, BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya wrote on X, "Let this be remembered. When 28 people died and thousands faced death and destruction from Dooars to Darjeeling, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was dancing in Kolkata — celebrating at a tax-funded carnival while her state mourned.

"She was equally remorseless when 12 people were electrocuted during Durga Puja this year. Even then, she went about inaugurating pandals as if nothing had happened. For Mamata Banerjee, death and destruction mean nothing."