Torrential rains have unleashed deadly floods and landslides across India’s Darjeeling region, killing at least 18 people and leaving dozens more missing. The relentless downpour battered the hill districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar, destroying homes, washing away bridges, and cutting off key transportation routes. Two major iron bridges collapsed, isolating several rural communities and hampering rescue efforts.

The Himalayan region, famous for its lush tea gardens and scenic beauty, is now struggling under severe destruction. Roads have been submerged or swept away, and emergency crews are working around the clock to clear debris and restore access. Local authorities report that multiple rivers have overflowed, inundating low-lying areas and displacing thousands of residents.

Across the border, Nepal is also suffering from similar devastation. At least 50 people have been killed in the eastern Ilam district, where landslides buried villages and swept away farmland. Rescue teams, often working by hand, are digging through collapsed homes to reach survivors in remote areas cut off by blocked mountain roads.

Officials warn that the death toll may rise as heavy rainfall continues. Relief operations are underway, with emergency shelters established for those who lost their homes. Food, clean water, and medical aid are being distributed, but damaged infrastructure and unstable terrain make every effort perilous.

Experts say this disaster underscores a growing pattern of climate-driven extreme weather in South Asia’s mountainous regions. As global temperatures rise, rainfall has become more erratic—causing sudden cloudbursts and landslides in areas that were once relatively stable. The steep terrain of the Himalayas, combined with deforestation and urban sprawl, leaves communities dangerously exposed to these events.

For the people of Darjeeling and neighboring Nepal, recovery will take time. But the tragedy also serves as a sobering reminder of how climate change is amplifying natural hazards, turning familiar monsoon seasons into life-threatening catastrophes.