**Rhinos Drown, Roads Turn Rivers: Bengal Floods Leave Trail of Destruction**
*By Snehil Singh | Oct 06, 2025, 05:13 PM*
Heavy, unabating rains in West Bengal have unleashed widespread devastation, resulting in at least 28 deaths and leaving dozens missing. The worst-hit area is Darjeeling district, with Mirik reporting 13 fatalities alone. Rescue operations are still underway as many remain unaccounted for.
The persistent downpours in North Bengal have triggered numerous landslides, causing roads to collapse and stranding many tourists during the busy Durga Puja vacation period.
**Impact on Wildlife**
A viral video from near Jaldapara National Park captures a startling scene of rhinos floating amid floodwaters and even chasing people. The park is renowned for housing the one-horned rhinoceros, along with other endangered species, making the floods especially distressing for local wildlife.
The severe weather and flooding have also heavily impacted neighboring Nepal. According to *The Kathmandu Post*, water-related disasters there have claimed 47 lives, with nine individuals still missing.
**Elephants Join Rescue Efforts**
In an extraordinary display of assistance, elephants have become key players in rescue operations. Ravikant Jha, Assistant Wildlife Warden of Jaldapara, revealed that elephants have been ferrying stranded tourists across rivers after a wooden bridge near a lodge was washed away.
“Our elephants have transported 2 to 4 tourists across the river since the bridge collapsed due to the rain,” Jha shared.
**National Disaster Response and Rescue Operations**
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been actively involved in flood and water rescue efforts. So far, over 160 people have been rescued—105 by boats and another 55 through airlifts or zip line evacuations in Jalpaiguri. During these operations, rescuers also recovered one deceased individual.
**Weather Forecast**
The India Meteorological Department warns that scattered light to moderate rains are likely to persist in the sub-Himalayan regions until October 12. Isolated thunderstorms, gusty winds reaching 30-40 kmph, and lightning may continue until Tuesday morning.
As the region grapples with these extreme weather challenges, rescue teams and wildlife authorities remain on high alert, striving to mitigate the devastating impacts of the floods.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/floods-and-landslides-devastate-darjeeling-rhinos-float-in-floodwaters/story
