Series of landslides hit Darjeeling, 38 dead

The remaining 17 died in Kalimpong-1 and 2, Lava, Sukhia block and <g data-gr-id="24">Gorubathan</g>, they said. The landslides in 25 places in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong sub-divisions also caused extensive damage to NH-10 and NH-55, cutting off road link to the region. Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel were carrying out rescue operations and the Army’s help has been sought.

Twenty persons were also injured in the calamity and 15 people were reported missing at 8 Mile and 11 Mile areas in Kalimpong, SSB officials said. Border Roads Organisation (BRO) men were engaged in clearing the blocked roads. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is now in Murshidabad district, is on <g data-gr-id="29">way</g> to the affected places.

“I am monitoring the situation closely and will go there after the meeting in Murshidabad,” she tweeted. She said that the home secretary was already in North Bengal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed Union Minister <g data-gr-id="23">Kiren</g> Rijiju to visit landslide-hit Darjeeling to take stock of the situation. North Bengal Development Minister Gautam Deb said that the Army’s help had been sought for the rescue operation although various agencies were working there.

NH 10 bore the brunt with the road link to Kalimpong, Lava, Lolegaon and <g data-gr-id="25">Garubathan</g> snapped. NH 55 connecting Siliguri, <g data-gr-id="26">Matigara</g> with Darjeeling was also damaged mostly in Mirik and Rohini areas. A bridge on NH 55 has been washed away at Nimbujhora, the officials said.