Stairs Crumbling, Ground Buried: Twin landslides hit 116-yr-old Darjeeling school as rains ravage North Bengal

Darjeeling Landslides: The torrential rains that claimed 23 lives across the hills of north Bengal have left a trail of destruction in their wake, with dozens schools – from century-old institutions to primary schools in rural areas – affected by landslides or submerged in slush just as students were set to return from Durga Puja holidays.

One of the oldest schools in Darjeeling, Maharani Girls High School, has been hit by two landslides, making the playground completely inaccessible. In one of the villages of Sukhia Pokhari, around 18 km from Darjeeling town, a primary school has been completely inundated.

Among the 23 casualties are two children as young as 9 and 12 from Mirik, the worst-affected area.

Darjeeling Landslides: Maharani Girls High School

The Maharani Girls High School, founded in 1908 and situated near the Darjeeling Railway station, has witnessed two landslides. The area adjacent to the senior secondary section has been washed away. Sludge has accumulated in the school ground where the morning assembly and other activities are conducted. One part of the stairs is almost on the verge of collapse.

The other landslide has crept dangerously close to the classrooms and the headmistress office.

“We are worried that the landslide may have affected the foundation of the newly renovated building. Now the school does not even have space for children to play,” said a teacher of the school.

The school authorities plan to meet the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) chief Anit Thapa to look into the condition of the school.

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Apart from the landslide triggered concern, the school is also in dire need of renovation and improvement of the infrastructure. Following the death of their only non-teaching staff, the teachers and students handle cleaning duties by themselves.

A primary school at Poobong fatak near Sukhia Pokhari is known to be completely inundated. Some of the Samagra Siksha Kendras have also filed complaints of leakages due to the rain.

'Damaged' Darjeeling schools asked to reach out

The school inspectors of all the areas have asked the schools to send photos of the damages over WhatsApp for them to take action.

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A message sent by one of the school inspectors read, “Hope you are all safe amidst the ongoing heavy rainfall. In case any emergency arises or if your school building, classrooms, or premises suffer any kind of damage, kindly inform me at the earliest through WhatsApp, along with clear photos of the affected areas. Your timely update will help us take quick and necessary steps for support and restoration.”

The GTA has ordered the closure of all educational institutions in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts until October 13.

The directive, issued by the executive director, education department, said, “Due to heavy rainfall and subsequent landslides, the connectivity and mobility have been disrupted in the entire region of GTA. Considering the ground aspects the GTA has decided that all educational institutions will remain closed from October 8-10 and it will reopen on October 13”.

Schools have been asked to resume only after official clearance.