Continuous overnight rainfall has plunged North Bengal into severe floods, claiming 14 lives and forcing not only people but also wild animals to flee their homes. As several rivers, including the Mahananda, Jaldhaka and Teesta, are flowing above the danger level, wildlife from nearby forests has begun entering human settlements in search of safety.
According to administrative sources, a herd of elephants has been trapped in the Kamarghat area after the Jaldhaka river overflowed due to relentless rain in the hills. In another incident, a rhinoceros wandered into the Kalibari locality, alarming residents.
“Locals in Kashiar Bari rescued a bison cub stranded by floodwaters, while in Kurseong, several deer have been spotted inside villages. Reports suggest that many wild animals may have been washed away from forest areas into nearby rivers,” said an official of the forest department in North Bengal.

Forest department teams have been deployed across affected areas to rescue and guide the animals back to safer forest zones. “We are working continuously to prevent harm to both animals and people,” said the official.
Meanwhile, heavy rains and floods have caused large-scale damage across the region. “The Teesta River is flowing dangerously high, prompting the evacuation of around 150 families from Teestabazar and nearby areas. Nabanna, the state secretariat, has instructed district officials to maintain constant vigilance, while tourists in Darjeeling have been asked to remain indoors for safety,” said an official of the state administration.
The Alipurduar division of the Northeast Frontier Railway has cancelled multiple train services, including the NJP–Alipurduar Junction Tourist Special, Dhubri–Siliguri DEMU Special, and Siliguri–Boxirhat Express, as tracks in several sections have been inundated.

Floodwaters from the Teesta have submerged portions of National Highway 10 at Bhalukhola near Teestabazar, cutting off communication between Siliguri, Mirik and Darjeeling. A section of the iron bridge between Mirik and Dudhia also collapsed overnight due to the rain.
The Mahananda River in Fulbari has swollen dangerously, and large areas in Porajhar and Siliguri have been flooded following a dam breach. Regions near the Nepal border have also gone underwater.
Record-breaking rainfall has been reported across the hills and plains — 153 mm in Hasimara, 172 mm in Jalpaiguri, and 268 mm in Darjeeling — the highest of the season so far.
“The Torsa River has crossed the 118-meter danger mark, prompting a red alert. As rescue operations continue, the sight of wild animals in residential areas has become a stark reminder of the devastating impact of the floods on both humans and wildlife. Forest workers and rescue teams remain on high alert as rainfall continues to lash the region,” said Praveen Prakash, the superintendent of police, Darjeeling.
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