Darjeeling: Incessant rain across Darjeeling district triggered landslides and flash floods on Friday, snapping a key road link between the hills and the plains and disrupting transport and connectivity.
The worst-hit stretch was the Mirik-Siliguri corridor, where the 468-metre Hume Pipe bridge over the Balason River at Dudhia was washed away early in the morning after a sharp rise in the river’s water level. The bridge, around 26 km from Siliguri on State Highway-12, was the only direct road link connecting Mirik and the Mirik Valley to the plains. Its collapse has forced commuters to take the longer detour via Ghum and Darjeeling. While the Siliguri-Mirik distance through Dudhia is around 48 km, the other route via Ghum is nearly 85 km.
The Dudhia bridge collapse comes less than a year after the Bailey bridge at the same location was washed away during the monsoon-induced landslides in October 2025. The state government had then built a 468-metre alternative structure, including a 72-metre Hume Pipe causeway with an 8-metre carriageway using 132 Hume pipes. It was completed within 16 days. The original bridge, built in 1965, had become structurally weak. A new permanent bridge worth Rs 54 crore is under construction.
Public Works Department executive engineer Anandamay Mondal said, “The temporary Hume Pipe bridge has been washed away due to the surge in the water level of the Balason River. Restoration work is under progress, but if the rains continue it will be difficult because of the force of the water. We will commence work once the water level recedes.”
Suresh Kumar Jagat, ADM (disaster management), Darjeeling, said three bridges were damaged, while more than eight subdivisions were affected by landslides and flooding. He also said all major roads had been cleared by Friday evening. He said no injuries or casualties had been reported so far. “An Orange Warning has been issued for Darjeeling district. We request tourists planning to visit Darjeeling to check the latest road conditions through official channels and plan their travel accordingly,” Jagat said. The district administration, in coordination with the Tourism Department, has set up helplines for tourists requiring assistance. “Tourists can contact the District Administration helpline at 0354-2255749 for any emergency or assistance. The Tourism Department has also issued emergency helpline numbers — 1800-212-1655 and 0353-2513986. Visitors are requested to make use of these numbers whenever required,” he added.
Landslides also blocked NH-110 near Mahanadi’s Chowki Dara and damaged Darjeeling Himalayan Railway tracks near Paglajhora. “The full length services between NJP to Darjeeling 52540 and 52541 shall remain suspended for a couple of days till the track is restored. All of the other services, including Darjeeling-Ghum-Darjeeling joyrides and Darjeeling-Kurseong shall remain operational,” DHR Director Rishab Choudhary said.
MP Raju Bista has sought Army and BRO intervention for construction of a Bailey Bridge and restoration of connectivity at the earliest.
