E-Paper
Rain-landslide havoc in Darjeeling: Death toll at least 17, says Bengal minister
IMD had also issued a red alert for the sub-Himalayan district, along with Kalimpong, Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar.
Several people have died amid the heavy rains and landslides in West Bengal's Darjeeling on Sunday. Furthermore, due to the excessive rainfall, an iron bridge also collapsed. At least 17 people have died due to the landslides, as per an update after 2 pm from a minister in the state's Trinamool Congress government.
The Dhudia bridge, which is an iron bridge over the Balason River at Dudhia, connecting Siliguri and Mirik, was damaged and collapsed due to the heavy rainfall in the region.
Also Read | Cyclone Shakti: Storm intensifies over Arabian Sea, IMD issues alerts for Maharashtra, Gujarat
Several killed amid heavy rain in Bengal
As per PTI, officials have stated that at least 17 people have died in Darjeeling due to the land slides excessive rainfall.
North Bengal Development Minister Udayan Guha described the situation as "alarming" and pegged the death toll at seventeen, citing reports.
"The loss of lives is tragic. As per our reports, eleven people have died in Mirik and six in Darjeeling. But the figure is not yet confirmed," Guha told PTI.
BJP leader Raju Bista, who is also the MP for Darjeeling, stated that there have been several deaths and loss of properties due to the heavy rainfall.
"I am extremely anguished to learn about the massive damages caused due to extremely heavy rainfall in many parts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts. There have been deaths, and loss of properties, and damages to the infrastructure. I am taking stock of the situation, and in touch with the relevant authorities," Bista wrote on X.
Local residents of Mirik told HT that the landslide at Dara Gaon near Soureni hit a house, killing four people who were sleeping, hit between 2 to 3 AM. .
"They had gone to Dara Gaon from Salbari near Siliguri to celebrate Dasai (Dusshera), the biggest festival of the Gorkhas,” Mirik Panchayat Samiti leader Aditya Pradhan told HT.
Red alert for parts of Bengal
The India Meteorological Department on Saturday issued a red alert for the sub-Himalayan district, along with Kalimpong, Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar.
As per the warnings issued for Sunday, a red alert is on for Alipurduar, and an orange alert for heavy rainfall is active for Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri.
However, as per the nowcast, from RMC Kolkata, an orange alert for heavy rain is active for Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Darjeeling.
