Tourists Stranded in Darjeeling as Drivers Hike Fares Amid Landslide Chaos
What has brought devastation for many has turned into an opportunity for some. As North Bengal reels under landslides and torrential rain, tourists stranded in the hills are facing not only nature’s fury but also exploitation from a section of transport operators. “Never imagined our holiday would end like this,” said a tourist from Dum Dum, Kolkata, who came to Darjeeling with 16 family members for the Durga Puja vacation. “The usual car fare from Darjeeling to Siliguri is ₹3,500. Now they’re demanding ₹15,000!” According to several visitors, taxi drivers have sharply increased fares for the 63-kilometer stretch between Darjeeling and Siliguri, claiming roads are blocked due to landslides. “Even after pleading with folded hands, they refused to lower the rate. One driver bluntly said he wouldn’t drive for less than ₹12,000,” the tourist said. The family, who had booked return tickets on the Uttarbanga Express for Sunday, had to cancel them after the calamity struck Saturday night. “We spent the entire night awake at the hotel. Thunder, lightning and heavy rain shook the hills,” said the woman. “On Sunday morning, when we went to the taxi stand at Chowk Bazaar, we found drivers unwilling to go down to Siliguri.” Drivers cited multiple landslides near Pankhabari and Dilaram and said they would have to take risky detours. However, tourists alleged that many vehicles were still plying — only for those ready to pay exorbitant rates. “We’ve run out of money after four days of sightseeing. Two vehicles are needed for our group, but paying ₹24,000 is impossible. We’re stuck,” the woman said. With train and road communication disrupted, hundreds of tourists remain stranded in Darjeeling and Kalimpong. State authorities have advised visitors to stay indoors and avoid travel until restoration work is completed.
Landslide Kills 6 in Himachal Pradesh, Several Homes Destroyed
Heavy rains triggered a landslide in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district, killing at least six people and leaving two others missing, officials said Wednesday. The landslide struck Sundernagar area, where four members of the same family were among the dead. Authorities said 16 houses were completely destroyed in Darki hill area, while another 40 remain in a precarious condition. A red alert was issued, and the entire village was evacuated. “Most residents had already moved out sensing the danger, which helped prevent more casualties,” a local official said. The district administration announced that schools would shift to online classes until further notice. Landslides and flooding have blocked at least 1,333 roads across the region, officials added. The India Meteorological Department had earlier issued a warning of extremely heavy rainfall in parts of Kullu, Chamba, Kangra and Mandi districts until noon. Forecasts also suggest heavy rain may continue in Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan and Una. Deadly monsoon-triggered landslides are common in Himachal Pradesh, where steep terrain and fragile soil make villages vulnerable to heavy rain.
Landslide in Sudan’s Darfur kills 1,000, rebel group says
A landslide triggered by heavy rains in Sudan’s western Darfur region has destroyed an entire village, killing around 1,000 people, a rebel group said on Monday. The Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) said the disaster struck on Aug. 31 in the Tarasin area of the Marra Mountains after days of torrential rainfall. Only one villager was pulled out alive from the rubble, the group added. The SLM appealed to the United Nations and international humanitarian agencies to help recover bodies buried under the debris. Sudan has been gripped by civil war since April 2023, when the army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, turned their power struggle into open conflict. Both sides have been accused of atrocities, including killings, rape and looting. The war has killed more than 20,000 people nationwide, according to estimates, with Darfur among the hardest-hit regions. Thousands of civilians displaced by the fighting had sought refuge in the Marra Mountains, where they were caught by the landslide. Darfur’s army-backed governor, Minni Minnawi, described the disaster as a “humanitarian catastrophe.” But rescue efforts have been hampered by the ongoing fighting, leaving survivors with little assistance.
