The Mountains Mourn, Pg4.

Key Highlights:

• Torrential rains between October 4–5 triggered over 110 major landslides in Darjeeling and neighbouring areas, with 261 mm of rainfall in 12 hours.
• Over 30 people died, including children, and several others remain missing; dozens of homes were destroyed or buried.
• Bhutan’s Green Power Corporation dam overflowed, worsening flooding along the Teesta River.
• Bridges and roads collapsed, isolating villages like Mirik and Kalimpong; reconstruction of temporary bridges is underway.
• The West Bengal government announced ₹16 crore compensation for the next of kin of 32 deceased persons.
• The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed for rescue and relief operations in the affected areas.

Detailed Insights:

• Scale of Damage:
  • Many roads vanished under landslides; connectivity to remote areas remains cut off.
  • Families celebrating Dashain (Nepali Hindu festival) were caught in sudden floods and landslides.
  • Tourism, a key livelihood source in Darjeeling and Kalimpong, has come to a halt, leaving many without income.
• Political and Administrative Response:
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi, CM Mamata Banerjee, and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed condolences.
  • The state government blamed excess water discharge from Bhutan and hydropower projects on the Teesta River for intensifying floods.
  • The BJP criticized the state government for inadequate preparedness and disaster control measures.
  • Bhutan later issued a flood warning, urging India to be alert and prepared for emergencies.
• Infrastructure Loss:
  • The main bridge across the Balason River was washed away, cutting off access to multiple towns.
  • Locals now trek up to 50 km between Mirik and Siliguri, taking nearly 2.5 hours.
  • Restoration work by the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) is ongoing.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Landslide: Sudden downward movement of rock, soil, and debris, often triggered by heavy rainfall or seismic activity.
• Flash Floods: Rapid flooding of low-lying areas due to intense rainfall or dam overflow.
• Watershed Mismanagement: Poor planning of river catchments and deforestation increase soil instability, heightening flood and landslide risks.
• Early Warning Systems: Meteorological alerts and hydrological monitoring crucial for disaster prevention in Himalayan regions.