Siliguri, July 1: At least 25 landslides resulting from heavy rains have been reported from three districts of West Bengal. The landslides have reportedly affected Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong sub-divisions of Darjeeling district and have killed at least 18 people and disrupted roads and telecommunication links to Darjeeling and Sikkim. However, bodies of only 10 people have been recovered.
At least 15 people have also been reported missing at 8 Mile and 11 Mile areas in Kalimpong. The landslides have caused extensive damage to NH 10 (old NH 55A) and NH 55, which are crucial road transportation links to both Sikkim and Darjeeling. On NH 10 road link to Sikkim, Kalimpong, Lava, Lolegaon and Garubathan has been snapped while on NH 55 road link connecting Siliguri, Matigara with Darjeeling was also damaged particularly in Mirik and Rohini areas has been affected.
Landslide in Darjeeling, West Bengal after heavy rains. pic.twitter.com/mYq9ziuQZ0
— ANI (@ANI_news) July 1, 2015
Landslide occurred and a bridge collapsed due to heavy rainfall in Simulbari, Darjeeling last night. pic.twitter.com/PACVgFRJxX
— ANI (@ANI_news) July 1, 2015
Visuals from Simulbari, Darjeeling landslide. A bridge has collapsed. pic.twitter.com/lcKRnpWsjN
— ANI (@ANI_news) July 1, 2015
Officers of battalions 41 and 30 of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) of the Indian Army as well as officers of the border outposts of SSB have rushed to the affected areas to assist the government with the relief and rescue operations. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee expressed anguish over the loss of lives in the landslide affected areas and said that she is monitoring the situation closely and will visit the affected areas right after attending a meeting in Murshidabad.
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