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Key Points

Heavy rainfall and landslides have severely disrupted life in north Bengal's hill regions. The GTA has decided to close all educational institutions for three days due to the crisis. Rescue operations are underway with the death toll currently standing at 36 people. Road repair work is progressing in multiple affected areas while tourists are being evacuated through alternative routes.

Key Points: Bengal Landslides Prompt GTA School Closures in Darjeeling Hills

  • Death toll from landslides and rainfall rises to 36 across affected Bengal districts
  • Rescue operations intensify as weather conditions show improvement in the region
  • Tourists evacuated using alternative routes via Tindharia and Pankhabari roads
  • Road repair work progresses in Mirik, Bijanbari, and other hill areas
2 min read

Heavy rainfall, landslides in Bengal: All GTA-run schools to remain closed for next three days

GTA closes all schools in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Kurseong for three days as landslides and heavy rainfall disrupt connectivity, death toll reaches 36.

"Due to heavy rainfall and subsequent landslides... the connectivity and the mobility have been disrupted in the entire region - GTA Notification"

Kolkata, Oct 7

Amid the ongoing crisis in the hills, Terai, and Dooars regions in north Bengal following heavy rainfall and landslides, the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) has decided to keep all schools in the hills of Darjeeling, Kurseong, and Kalimpong closed for the next three days.

The decision has been taken amid the disruption in the mobility and connectivity system in the region following the natural calamity.

The GTA authorities issued a notification in this regard on Tuesday.

"Due to heavy rainfall and subsequent landslides on October 4 and 5, the connectivity and the mobility have been disrupted in the entire region of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration. Considering the ground aspects, the competent authority of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration has decided that all the educational institutions (Government, Government-sponsored, Government-aided, private, run by Missionaries, etc), viz., primary schools, secondary schools, SSKs, MSKs, Colleges (both general & technical) will remain closed from 8th-10th October, 2025. These educational institutions will reopen on October 13," the GTA notification read.

Till Tuesday morning, the death toll following the natural disaster in the region has risen to 36, as per the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and district administrations in Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri.

With the weather conditions improving since Monday morning, there has been substantial progress in relief and rescue operations. Several affected people have been shifted to safe places, and tourists have been evacuated from the affected areas.

With the main road connecting the hills with the plains being closed, tourists are mainly resorting to two other alternative routes, namely Tindharia Road and Pankhabari Road, to reach Siliguri, the principal gateway town in North Bengal.

However, considering that the road via Pankhabari is quite remote, the pressure is more on the route by Tindharia.

GTA officials informed on Tuesday that the work for the repair of certain affected roads in Mirik block in Darjeeling district has already been completed, and work is on to complete the same for some other affected roads.

Work on the repair of roads is continuing in other pockets in the hills, namely Bijanbari, Gorubathan, Sukhiapokhari, Sonada, and Lava, among others.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
My cousin is stuck in Kalimpong and the road connectivity is completely broken. The authorities should have been better prepared for monsoon season - this happens every year in North Bengal but the infrastructure remains weak. Still, glad they're taking safety measures now.
S
Sarah B
Heartbreaking to hear about the 36 lives lost. The rescue teams are doing amazing work in such difficult conditions. Hope the weather continues to improve and they can reach all affected areas soon.
A
Arjun K
As someone who frequently visits Darjeeling, the road conditions have been deteriorating for years. The Pankhabari route is indeed very remote and risky. Hope this disaster pushes the government to invest in better infrastructure for the hills. 🏔️
M
Meera T
Good that they're prioritizing safety, but what about the academic loss for students? Three days of closure might not seem much, but it adds up with other holidays. Hope schools have a plan to cover the syllabus later.
V
Vikram M
The relief work seems to be progressing well, which is commendable. The NDRF teams deserve our gratitude for working in such challenging terrain. Hope the road repairs are completed quickly so normal life can resume.

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