Heavy rains and landslides have wreaked havoc in Darjeeling, known as the Queen of Hills in West Bengal, claiming the lives of 23 people. Hundreds of homes were destroyed and roads were washed away, disrupting communication with the state of Sikkim. The Jalpaiguri district, adjacent to Darjeeling, was also severely affected by the landslide. The Dudhiya Bridge over the Balason River collapsed, cutting off communication between Siliguri and Mirik. The West Bengal government immediately launched relief and rescue operations. Meanwhile, Bhutan has issued a flood warning for North Bengal due to the rising water level in the Wangchu River. Following the natural disasters in Uttarakhand and Himachal, landslides in Darjeeling, a Himalayan region, are a common natural phenomenon, but this disaster serves as a reminder that all is not well in this popular hill station. While renowned for its beauty and salubrious climate, Darjeeling has been the victim of numerous natural disasters in the past. Available records show that massive landslides occurred in 1899, 1934, 1950, 1968, 1975, 1980, 1991, and more recently in 2011 and 2015. In 1968, devastating floods occurred in October, killing over a thousand people.
The 1991 Environmental Status Report, published by the non-profit Centre for Science and Environment, states that nine cloudbursts occurred in the Teesta Valley between 1902 and 1978. The widespread occurrence of the disaster across the country has alarmed environmentalists and researchers. Mountain researchers say the Himalayas are still growing and are inherently young. If proper care is not taken, Darjeeling could face a catastrophe similar to that of Uttarakhand and Himachal. The steady increase in population and the ever-growing number of tourists are putting pressure on the fragile ecosystems of Darjeeling and the surrounding areas, even Sikkim. Overall environmental degradation in the Eastern Himalayas has left the mountains bare and unattractive. Continued deforestation has exacerbated the problem of soil erosion. The drying up of springs and changes in water levels have also exacerbated the problem. The proliferation of buildings, and the construction of multi-story buildings in hilly areas, lack proper drainage systems. Mountain areas are also becoming increasingly crowded. The former charm has vanished. The increasing number of vehicles carrying tourists has led to increased pollution.
In the Landslide Atlas of India 2023, published by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Darjeeling was ranked 35th among 147 districts as the most affected area. Several local NGOs, including Save the Hills, led by Colonel Praful Rao of Kalimpong, are highlighting these threats through social media and concerted debates and awareness campaigns. The Sikkim Human Development Report 2001 strongly warned about the glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) that was triggered by the breach of Lhonak Lake in Sikkim in October 2023. This GLOF not only claimed many lives but also swept away the 1200 MW Chungthang Hydroelectric Project, destroyed numerous public and military installations, and caused damage estimated at over ₹25,000 crore, representing approximately 60 percent of Sikkim’s GDP for 2022-23. The massive devastation caused by this flood in the lower coastal areas of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts of West Bengal and in Bangladesh remains unaccounted for.
Long-term heavy rainfall increases waterlogging, increasing the risk of landslides on vulnerable slopes. People in rural areas and high hills use wood as fuel, leading to uncontrolled tree felling. Building standards and guidelines established during the British era were completely abandoned. No effective plan was implemented to protect the mountains. Immediate economic gain and rapid development have endangered the environment. Nature appears to be striking back to avenge the years of silent humiliation and continued disrespect at the hands of humans. No one has harmed nature as much as humans have. Governments should identify the causes and take steps to prevent them. The findings show that it is neither possible to prevent landslides nor to completely eliminate their damage, but if some basic measures and public awareness are taken, the possibility of damage can be limited.
