Monday, Oct 06, 2025 09:00 [IST]
Last Update: Sunday, Oct 05, 2025 16:01 [IST]
MIRIK,: Residents of Mirik were reminded of the horrors of the 2003
landslide, which claimed 24 lives, as this year’s devastation brought back
similar fears. In the latest disaster which took place on Saturday night, 11
people have lost their lives in Mirik subdivision alone, as heavy rains
triggered deadly landslides.
In
total, 22 people have died across Darjeeling District, with the majority of
victims from villages in and around Mirik, including Sorasaley, Toklang, Mechi
Dhara Gaon, Mirik Busty, and other surrounding areas.
One
of the major infrastructural losses was the collapse of the Dudhey Bridge, the
vital link between Mirik and Siliguri, which gave way around 4 am on Sunday.
According to locals, the bridge collapsed just moments after a car had crossed
it towards Mirik.
The
iron bridge, originally constructed as a temporary structure, was due to be
replaced by a new concrete bridge. However, construction had been delayed due
to continuous rainfall.
The
fatalities in Mirik occurred when residents were buried under debris while
asleep in villages such as Toklang, Sorasaley, Mirik Busty, and Mechi Dhara
Gaon.
Darjeeling
Superintendent of Police, Parween Prakash, has been regularly briefing the
public on road conditions and vehicular movement across the district while
issuing alerts for safety.
Following
directives from the district administration, homes near the Balason River close
to the collapsed Dudhey Bridge were evacuated, and residents were shifted to a
community hall as a precaution.
Shortly
after the bridge collapse, three houses in the area also crumbled, adding to
the devastation.
Local
leaders, including Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb and Darjeeling MP Raju Bista,
visited the affected area in Dudhey to assess the situation and speak with
residents.
