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Key Points

The Darjeeling tea industry is facing unprecedented devastation as massive landslides and relentless rainfall have wreaked havoc across the Mirik region. Approximately 50,000 tea bushes across 20 hectares of plantation land were completely washed away in the disaster. Tea garden managers report this is the worst situation they've witnessed in their decades-long careers, with already-produced tea at risk of spoilage due to severed transport routes. Local residents are stranded without electricity and essential supplies as critical infrastructure including bridges has collapsed, leaving the entire region in crisis.

Key Points: Darjeeling Tea Industry Devastated by Mirik Landslides and Rain

  • Approximately 50,000 tea bushes washed away across 20 hectares of plantation land
  • Tea production in factories at risk of spoilage due to impossible transportation
  • Critical bridge connecting Mirik to other areas has collapsed completely
  • Local residents left stranded without electricity and with destroyed homes
  • Industry managers describe this as the worst devastation in decades
  • Government intervention urgently needed to prevent total industry collapse
3 min read

Darjeeling tea industry severely impacted by landslides, incessant rain

Massive landslides and relentless rain destroy 50,000 tea bushes across Mirik's Darjeeling tea gardens, threatening industry collapse as transport routes remain severed.

"I have been in this industry for the last 25 years. But I have never seen such a devastating situation before - Suman Das, Thurbu Tea Garden Manager"

Darjeeling, October 10

The Darjeeling tea industry has been severely affected as massive landslides and relentless rainfall have wreaked havoc across the Mirik region. Approximately 50,000 tea bushes across 20 hectares of plantation land were washed away in the incident.

"Never seen such a devastating situation before," said Thurbu Tea Garden manager as massive landslides devastated Darjeeling's Mirik tea industry

Suman Das, the manager of Thurbu Tea Garden, described the situation as one of the worst in his decades-long career. "The situation is pretty bad here... I have been in this industry for the last 25 years. But I have never seen such a devastating situation before," he said to ANI.

The manager further said that the damage comes at a particularly challenging time for the already struggling tea industry. "It is very detrimental to the industry, especially when the industry is facing numerous challenges during this time of year," Das said.

Ajam Pradhan, a person associated with the Mirik tea industry, told ANI, "It rained so much it felt like a cloud had burst. Around 40 to 50 hectares of Mirik's Tea Garden were damaged in the area. We anticipate this year's Mirik production will be completely impacted."

Pradhan added that tea already produced and kept in factories is at risk of spoilage due to disrupted transport routes. "The tea that's being produced and sitting in the factory is also getting spoiled because transportation is impossible...If the government doesn't step in, the tea industry could suffer significant losses," Pradhan said.

Meanwhile, locals in West Bengal's Darjeeling are facing a tough time following heavy rainfall over the past several days that has led to the destruction of infrastructure, including damage to the road connecting Dudhia to Mirik and to Nepal. As water levels in the area rose due to incessant rains, several houses and buildings also collapsed, leaving residents in distress and fear.

A local said that a bridge that connected the area to other areas had also collapsed, adding to their problems. He further appealed to the government to send help.

"It rained very heavily on Sunday and was raining till 6 am... my house and shop got destroyed in the rain... we left from here early in the morning... the bridge has also broken here and it is causing a lot of trouble for the people since no one can travel anywhere... There has been no electricity here... a couple of houses have been destroyed here... We appeal to the government to send up help..." the local told ANI.

Amrit Thani, another local, expressed his concern saying, "The bridge was the main road for the people to travel here and now that it is broken, the people are stuck here... The CM did come here and spoke about the compensation for the people who were killed but what about the people who are left with nothing?"

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Climate change is hitting us hard. First Assam floods, now Darjeeling landslides. We need better disaster management systems in hilly regions. Hope the authorities act quickly before the entire tea season is lost.
S
Sarah B
As someone who imports Darjeeling tea to the UK, this is devastating news. The quality of Darjeeling tea is unmatched. I hope the industry recovers soon. My thoughts are with the workers and their families affected by this tragedy.
A
Arjun K
The government should declare this as a national disaster. Darjeeling tea employs thousands of people and is a major export earner. Immediate compensation for affected families and restoration of transport links is crucial.
M
Michael C
While the government response is important, I think we also need to question why infrastructure in these regions is so vulnerable. Better planning and sustainable development could prevent such massive losses in the future.
K
Kavya N
My heart goes out to the tea garden workers and local residents. No electricity, broken bridges, destroyed homes - this is a humanitarian crisis. Hope relief reaches them quickly. 🙏
D
David E
This will definitely affect global tea prices. Darjeeling first flush is highly anticipated worldwide. Hope the industry can recover in time for the next season. Terrible situation

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