A night of extreme rain
Around 100 landslides were reported across the region, and at least 28 people died in the district.1
Case study
Landslide recovery
Rebuilding lives, homes and the Siliguri road after the landslides of October 2025.
- 12 Lives lost in Mirik Subdivision 2
- 121 Families given relief in the first week 2
- 16 days To build the temporary Dudhia bridge 5
- Rs 51 to 54 crore Permanent two-lane Dudhia bridge (reports differ) 6
Overview
On the night of 4 to 5 October 2025, about 300 mm of rain fell in a few hours and set off landslides across the Darjeeling hills. Mirik Subdivision was among the worst hit, and the Dudhia bridge on the Siliguri road was swept away.
Recovery covers help for families who lost people and homes, new settlements on safer land, drains and retaining walls, and a new bridge.
Why it matters
Lives and homes lost
In Mirik Subdivision 12 people died. At Dhar Gaon in Toklang, Soureni, 4 people died, 5 were injured and several houses were destroyed.9
The road cut
The Dudhia bridge over the Balason, built in 1965, collapsed early on 5 October, cutting the main road between Siliguri and Mirik.4
What the project covers
-
Help for families
Rs 5 lakh to each bereaved family, Rs 1.2 lakh for each home that was destroyed, Home Guard jobs for next of kin, and camps to replace lost documents.3
-
New settlements
Land for families who cannot return home, with water supply and sanitation by the PHE for the new settlements at Thurbo Tea Garden and Soureni.10
-
Drains and retaining walls
Protecting slopes near homes so rain can drain away safely.9
-
Dudhia bridge
A temporary bridge, then a Bailey bridge, and now a permanent two-lane bridge over the Balason.8
Progress
DemoItems marked Demo are examples, not published figures. They will be replaced when the office shares real data.
Timeline
- Done
Landslides and bridge collapse
Extreme rain triggered deadly landslides, and the Dudhia bridge was swept away.1
- Done
Relief for families
Rs 5 lakh was given to each bereaved family, relief to 121 families, and jobs were promised for next of kin.2
- Done
Temporary bridge
The PWD built a 468 m route with a 72 m Hume pipe causeway in 16 days, working round the clock.5
- Done
Causeway damaged
Heavy rain washed away part of the temporary bridge. Traffic went via Pankhabari and Kurseong.6
- Done
Army footbridge
Army engineers built a 34 m footbridge in about a day so people could cross on foot.7
- Done
Bailey bridge opens
The Army, the PWD and the district administration rebuilt the crossing in 20 days.8
- Now
Water for new settlements
The PHE tender for water supply and sanitation at the Thurbo Tea Garden settlement closes on 6 October.10
Challenges
What this means for you
-
Keep the helpline numbers handy and read the landslide advice.
Emergency numbers -
Report cracks in the ground, blocked drains or new slips near homes straight away.
Report a problem -
If your family lost documents in the landslides, ask at the office how to replace them.
Office address and hours
Sources
- 1 Outlook India, October 2025: Death toll rises to 28 as Darjeeling is devastated by landslides
- 2 Sikkim Express, 8 October 2025: CM assures jobs, aid to Mirik landslide-hit families
- 3 Sikkim Express, 15 October 2025: CM visits landslide-hit Mirik, hands over relief and ex gratia
- 4 India TV, 26 October 2025: Dudhia bridge linking Mirik and Siliguri completed
- 5 ETV Bharat, October 2025: Bridge at disaster-hit Dudhia ready in record time
- 6 National Herald, June 2026: Heavy rain damages temporary Balason bridge
- 7 ETV Bharat, 24 June 2026: Army constructs footbridge at Dudhia
- 8 Business Aajkal, 8 July 2026: Rebuilt Dudhia bridge inaugurated
- 9 Millennium Post, 8 June 2026: Minister announces 2 new STPs in Mirik, reviews lake revival
- 10 PHE Kurseong Division tender, 2026: Water supply and sanitation for the Thurbo Tea Garden landslide victims settlement
News reports are summarised in our own words. If you find an error, tell the Municipality Office.