Darjeeling floods and landslides: Premium autumn crop totally washed out, supply of tea remains major worry

Severe floods and landslides in Darjeeling have devastated the region’s renowned autumn flush tea crop, causing heavy losses for planters and workers alike. Estates report that the premium-quality leaves, prized globally for their flavor and aroma, have been completely washed out, disrupting production and supply chains. With transportation routes blocked and infrastructure damaged, the availability of Darjeeling tea in both domestic and export markets has become a major concern. The disaster highlights the growing vulnerability of India’s hill agriculture to climate change and underscores the urgent need for resilient infrastructure, crop insurance, and sustainable cultivation practices in the tea sector.