West Bengal has been grappling with an intense spell of monsoon weather, presenting a stark contrast between the devastating landslides in the northern hills and the persistent humidity and rain in the southern plains. Recent events underscore the state’s vulnerability to extreme weather patterns, amplified by a unique meteorological phenomenon.
North Bengal’s Ordeal: Landslides and Devastation
The sub-Himalayan districts of North Bengal, including Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar, faced a weekend of horror from October 5-6, 2025. Torrential rainfall, exceeding 300 mm in just 12 hours, triggered one of the worst landslide events in a decade. This natural disaster led to widespread destruction, claiming at least 28 lives across Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts, with several individuals still reported missing.
The devastation was extensive: homes were swept away, crucial roads like National Highway 10 were cut off, and bridges, notably the Dudhia iron bridge over the Balason river, collapsed, isolating villages and stranding thousands of tourists. Areas particularly hard-hit included Mirik, Sukhiapokhri, Bijanbari, and Nagrakata. The fury of nature also impacted wildlife, with reports of a rhinoceros carcass and elephants struggling in raging floodwaters.
Meteorologists attributed this unexpected calamity to a low-pressure system that formed over the Bay of Bengal. After making landfall in Odisha, the system surprisingly recurved towards north Bihar due to strong westerly winds as the monsoon retreated from north India, bringing it dangerously close to North Bengal and dumping immense rainfall.
Kolkata and South Bengal: Humidity, Showers, and Flood Concerns
While North Bengal reeled, Kolkata and the Gangetic plains experienced their own share of monsoon activity. On October 6, the city awoke to overcast skies and high humidity, with temperatures dipping to 29.4°C, nearly 3.4°C below normal. Humidity levels remained high, between 86% and 97%, creating a muggy atmosphere despite the rain. Kolkata recorded 71 mm of rainfall between Sunday and Monday morning, with other South Bengal areas like Sagar Island, Harinkhola, and Digha receiving 8 cm each, and Canning 5 cm.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast generally cloudy skies with light to moderate rain or thundershowers for Kolkata and its surroundings, especially on October 7 and 8. Day temperatures are expected to hover around 31-32°C, maintaining the sticky weather. Thunderstorm and lightning warnings were issued for Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, Nadia, and neighboring districts, advising residents to take precautions against lightning and avoid water bodies.
Adding to the concerns in South Bengal, the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) released 55,000 cusecs of water from its reservoirs on October 6. This move raised fresh flood fears in downstream districts, as rivers were already swollen from recent heavy rainfall.
Looking Ahead
West Bengal’s recent weather events highlight the urgent need for robust disaster preparedness and climate resilience strategies. While rescue and relief operations continue, the focus will inevitably shift towards rebuilding damaged infrastructure and fortifying communities against future extreme weather occurrences. The unpredictable nature of monsoon systems, as demonstrated by the unexpected recurve, demands continuous vigilance and adaptive planning across the state.