A deadly combination of unregulated construction, deforestation, and extreme weather has triggered widespread devastation across Darjeeling and neighbouring hill regions, following one of the heaviest spells of rain in recent memory.

Experts and officials are calling the situation “unprecedented”, with over 300 mm of rain recorded in under 12 hours, triggering massive landslides that have cut off access to key areas, stranded thousands of tourists, and left several dead or missing.

While the hill district is no stranger to heavy rainfall, environmental degradation has increased its vulnerability. Large-scale deforestation, vertical construction on unstable slopes, and poor drainage systems have weakened the region’s natural defences.

“We need to provide that sort of infrastructure in all of our hilly areas so that these houses withstand natural calamities,” said Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Rajya Sabha member and former Foreign Secretary who hails from Darjeeling.

“So more afforestation, more green programs are necessary. Again, we are working with all concerned to try and get that going. But right now, the immediate thing is to basically provide relief to those affected.”

The landslides, which began following incessant rainfall earlier this week, have buried roads, snapped communication lines, and destroyed homes in several parts of the hills. The worst-affected areas include Mirik, where entire homes were swept away, and parts of Kalimpong and Sikkim.

According to initial reports, at least 30 people have lost their lives, with many still missing.Thousands of tourists remain stranded as major highways leading to Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Sikkim are cut off.