North Bengal is facing an unprecedented travel disruption as heavy monsoon rains have left hundreds of tourists stranded in major destinations such as Darjeeling, Alipurduar, and Mirik during the Durga Puja festival. The region, renowned for its scenic hills, tea gardens, and wildlife reserves, has been severely affected by flooding, landslides, and blocked transportation routes, creating widespread challenges for both visitors and authorities.
Tourists returning from the area described dangerous travel conditions, with key roads submerged and alternative routes blocked or unsafe. Several remote areas remain inaccessible, leaving travelers trapped in lodges, hotels, and homestays without easy access to supplies or communication. Airfares have surged sharply due to limited availability, with ticket prices rising from an average of ₹3,500 to over ₹21,000, further complicating travel for stranded visitors.
Homestays in North Bengal, which are often set in remote villages along hilly terrain, have been particularly affected. With roughly 1,200 such properties in the region, many of them in flood-prone areas, reaching stranded tourists has been extremely difficult. Disrupted mobile networks, damaged roads, and rising water levels have made coordination challenging for both operators and authorities.
Visitors in affected areas had to evacuate quickly as rivers and streams swelled, flooding surrounding lodges and cutting off access to main roads. Groups of tourists faced the added challenge of navigating slippery, waterlogged paths, while ensuring the safety of children and elderly travelers. The monsoon’s intensity has exposed the vulnerability of tourists in hill regions, particularly during the high-traffic festive season.
State authorities have launched extensive rescue operations to ensure the safe evacuation of stranded tourists. Buses and other transport vehicles are being deployed to relocate visitors to safer locations, while temporary accommodations have been arranged for those unable to travel immediately. Hotels have been instructed to provide shelter without charging fees until visitors can be safely relocated. Officials have stressed that ensuring the safety of all tourists is the top priority, with relief teams working around the clock in coordination with local police and transport agencies.
The tourism sector is facing substantial disruption due to the floods. Rising transport costs, travel delays, and limited access to accommodations have affected both travelers and local businesses. Tour operators are working to monitor stranded visitors, coordinate emergency support, and maintain communication with remote homestays. The ongoing crisis highlights the need for improved disaster preparedness in popular tourist destinations during the monsoon season.
North Bengal’s terrain has amplified the impact of the rainfall. The combination of steep hills, dense forests, and rivers flowing through tourist areas makes the region highly susceptible to floods and landslides. Low-lying lodges and homestays near rivers are especially at risk, while unplanned construction in some areas has further exacerbated road blockages and waterlogging.
Authorities are actively delivering essential supplies such as food, drinking water, and medical assistance to stranded tourists. Efforts are also being made to restore communication networks to allow visitors to contact family members and emergency services. Evacuation operations continue, with tourists being moved to safer urban centers like Siliguri and Alipurduar.
Travelers are being urged to exercise extreme caution when moving through North Bengal, particularly on routes prone to waterlogging and landslides. Monitoring weather advisories and adhering to official instructions are essential to ensure safety during ongoing monsoon conditions.
The flooding crisis serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of North Bengal’s tourist regions during extreme weather events. Authorities and tourism stakeholders are expected to review emergency preparedness and evacuation strategies to reduce risks in the future. In the meantime, efforts remain focused on safeguarding tourists, restoring normalcy, and minimizing the impact of the monsoon on the region’s vibrant tourism sector.
