Floods and landslides have caused widespread devastation across North Bengal, severely affecting homes, roads and educational institutions. Administrative reports confirm that 173 schools across Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts have suffered extensive damage.
“Walls have cracked, staircases and boundary walls have collapsed, and several schools have reported damaged roofs and destroyed toilets. In some areas, debris from landslides has struck school buildings, rendering them unsafe for use,” said an official of the state education department.
Following the alarming reports, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee directed the education department to begin immediate renovation and reconstruction work. District administrations have been instructed to complete repairs before the Puja holidays, ensuring that students can safely return to classrooms afterward.
At an administrative meeting in Darjeeling last week, the Chief Minister said, “Primary schools, high schools, and colleges have been damaged in the natural disaster. Arrangements will be made to repair all educational institutions quickly.”
Acting on her instructions, the education department has already collected detailed damage assessments from local authorities.
Out of the 173 affected schools, 94 are primary schools, while 79 are high schools. The worst-hit area is Darjeeling district, where more than 30 schools have been damaged, including 20 high schools and 12 primary schools, in locations such as Darjeeling city, Rangvi, Sukhiyapokhari, Ghum, Lamahata, Dudhya, Tungsung and Panighata.
Also read: October rains, waterlogged slopes behind Darjeeling landslides: GSI
An administrative official described the extent of destruction, saying, “Although there were no students in one primary school, the toilet was completely destroyed. In another, a landslide caused large stones to hit the building, severely damaging its walls. Roofs of several schools have collapsed, along with pillars, pipelines and hostel toilets.”
The district administration has photographed the affected schools and submitted the documentation to the state government. Darjeeling District School Inspector (Primary and High School) Tapas Biswas confirmed, “A list has been prepared and sent with the help of the block administration. Hopefully, the renovation work will start soon.”
Parents and local residents have urged authorities to utilise the ongoing Puja vacation to carry out repairs and ensure that students are not exposed to unsafe conditions once schools reopen. Many have expressed concern that delays in reconstruction could disrupt the academic schedule and jeopardise student safety.
Officials have assured that the reconstruction drive will be prioritised and monitored directly by the state education department to ensure completion before the end of the holiday period.
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