Heavy rains trigger massive landslides in Darjeeling; 18 dead

Darjeeling/West Bengal: At least 18 people, including several children, died and several others were injured as incessant heavy rainfall triggered multiple landslides across the Mirik and Darjeeling hills in the northern part of West Bengal on Sunday, sweeping away homes, damaging roads and cutting off several remote hamlets, PTI reported citing officials account.

According to reports compiled by the NDRF and the district administration, fatalities were reported from several locations - Sarsaly, Jasbirgaon, Mirik Basti, Dhar Gaon (Mechi), Nagrakata and Mirik Lake area.

According to the NDRF statement, at least 11 people have died in Mirik, the worst-affected area in the landslide, and seven injured people have been rescued from the area.

In Darjeeling, seven people died, and the rescue operations were underway with the help of police, local administration and disaster response teams.

"Seven deaths have been reported due to a major landslide in Darjeeling subdivision triggered by heavy rainfall since last night. The rescue and relief work is on," Darjeeling Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Richard Lepcha told PTI.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced compensation for the victims without specifying the amount and the number of deaths, and said she would visit north Bengal on October 6 to assess the situation in the region where a large number of tourists have also been affected.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed condolences over the deaths and said the situation in Darjeeling and the surrounding areas is being closely monitored in the wake of heavy rains and landslides.

At least 40 people were rescued from the debris in Dhar Gaon, Nagarakata, where heavy mudslides flattened several houses.

Stating that the loss of lives is tragic, North Bengal Development Minister Udayan Guha told PTI that the situation is "alarming".