Murshidabad landslides block railway line in Farakka; Darjeeling Mail stranded
Synopsis
A morning landslide between Tildanga and New Farakka stations in Murshidabad brought north-bound train services to a halt on 3 September — and railway sources say it was only spotted in time by gangmen on patrol. Had the track damage gone undetected, officials admit a serious accident could not have been ruled out.
Key Takeaways
Landslides struck the railway line between Tildanga and New Farakka stations in Murshidabad district on 3 September .
Darjeeling Mail and Kanchanakanya Express are among the trains halted mid-route; services to New Jalpaiguri and Siliguri are disrupted.
Eastern Railway engineers are working on priority to repair the track; trains will resume only after safety clearance.
Railway gangmen spotted the damage in time, averting a potential accident, according to department sources.
The India Meteorological Department links the rainfall to a Bay of Bengal low-pressure zone; heavy rain forecast for Murshidabad and Birbhum districts.
Conditions may ease in South Bengal from Friday , but thunderstorms are expected to return from Monday .
Heavy rainfall triggered landslides on a railway line in Farakka, Murshidabad district, West Bengal, on Thursday, 3 September, forcing Eastern Railway officials to halt several north-bound long-distance trains — including the Darjeeling Mail and Kanchanakanya Express — mid-route. The blockage has disrupted services to New Jalpaiguri and Siliguri in North Bengal, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at stations along the corridor.
Where the Landslide Struck
The landslide occurred between Tildanga and New Farakka stations during the morning hours, damaging the track and making movement unsafe. The Darjeeling Mail is currently held at Farakka station in Murshidabad, according to railway officials. Multiple other long-distance trains have been stopped at various intermediate stations while repair crews assess the extent of the damage.
Railway Response
Railway engineers have been deployed on what officials described as a 'war footing' to restore the track. Authorities have stated that trains will be permitted to resume movement on the affected section only after repair work meets safety standards — no timeline has been confirmed. Staff on board the stranded trains are working to minimise passenger inconvenience. Railway officials have also warned that several other trains on the route are likely to run significantly behind schedule as a knock-on effect of the disruption.
A Near-Miss Averted
Sources within the railway department noted that the track damage was spotted in time by railway gangmen on routine patrol, allowing approaching trains to be stopped before reaching the affected stretch. Officials indicated that had the damage gone undetected, the risk of a serious accident could not have been ruled out. The timely alert is being credited with preventing a potentially graver incident.
Weather Outlook
The India Meteorological Department has attributed the continuous rainfall to a low-pressure zone that has formed over the Bay of Bengal. Heavy showers are forecast for Birbhum and Murshidabad districts in the near term. Conditions in South Bengal are expected to ease slightly from Friday, though scattered thunderclouds will persist. Thunderstorm activity is forecast to intensify again across southern districts from Monday, raising the possibility of further disruption.
Point of View
But the recurring nature of monsoon-triggered track damage on this corridor raises a harder question: why does reactive repair remain the default when predictive slope-stabilisation and real-time track monitoring technology exists? With the Bay of Bengal low-pressure system still active and thunderstorms forecast to return Monday, this disruption may not be the last of the season on this stretch.
NationPress
3 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which trains have been affected by the Murshidabad landslide?
The Darjeeling Mail and Kanchanakanya Express are among the north-bound trains halted due to the landslide. Several other long-distance trains heading to New Jalpaiguri and Siliguri in North Bengal have also been stopped at intermediate stations.
Where exactly did the landslide occur on the railway line?
The landslide struck between Tildanga and New Farakka stations in Murshidabad district, West Bengal, on the morning of 3 September. The Darjeeling Mail is currently held at Farakka station.
When will train services resume on the affected route?
Eastern Railway has not confirmed a specific timeline. Officials have stated that trains will be allowed to move only after repair work is deemed satisfactory from a safety standpoint. Engineers are working on priority to restore the track.
What caused the landslides in Murshidabad?
Heavy and continuous rainfall across West Bengal, particularly in South Bengal, triggered the landslides. The India Meteorological Department has attributed the rainfall to a low-pressure zone over the Bay of Bengal.
Was a train accident averted?
According to railway department sources, gangmen on routine patrol detected the track damage in time, allowing approaching trains to be stopped before reaching the affected section. Officials indicated that the risk of a serious mishap could not have been ruled out had the damage gone unnoticed.
