Monsoon Marks Return: Heavy Rains in Bihar and Darjeeling Cause Floods, 24 Dead, Rescue Operations Underway

Severe monsoon rains have wreaked havoc in Bihar and parts of West Bengal, leading to floods, property damage, and loss of life. In Rohtas, Bihar, a young worker was trapped in rising waters near a six-lane road construction depot along National Highway 19. Eyewitnesses reported chaotic scenes as locals and rescue teams rushed to save him. The flooding follows heavy rainfall in Nepal, which caused sudden surges in rivers across Bihar, including the Koshi. In the past 15 hours, some areas recorded over 300 mm of rainfall. In Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar, landslides, road blockages, and damaged infrastructure have severely disrupted daily life. Several bridges collapsed, rivers eroded riverbanks, and many homes were washed away. Official sources report at least 24 deaths, with several people still missing. Rescue operations have been deployed by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local authorities. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited affected areas to assess the situation and oversee relief efforts. Rail services have also been affected due to waterlogging and landslides. Authorities continue to coordinate evacuation and relief, but with rivers in spate and ongoing rains, restoring normalcy remains a significant challenge. The disaster underscores the urgent need for preparedness and community-level awareness during intense monsoon seasons.