17 dead in landslide havoc in Darjeeling, PM Modi expresses grief; death toll likely to rise

KOLKATA: 17 people died in landslides that devastated Darjeeling in West Bengal on Sunday. Many people are reportedly missing, and the death toll is likely to rise. Minding the threat of landslides, the traffic was halted in the dangerously narrow roads connecting Sikkim and West Bengal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to those who lost their lives in the landslide tragedy. Rescue operations are underway in the area under the leadership of the National Disaster Response Force, police and volunteers. Several villages are reportedly isolated.

Officials said that the National Disaster Response Force started rescue operations in the Mirik region, the worst affected by the heavy rains. According to the district administration, nine deaths have been confirmed here so far. Many are missing.

Four people have been reported dead in Sarsali and Jasbirgaon. Four bodies were recovered from Dhargaon in Mechi. Four people trapped in a landslide have been rescued. Adverse weather conditions and extensive damage are posing a challenge to the rescue operation. There are also concerns in Darjeeling that the death toll may rise further.

The Meteorological Department predicted light to moderate rainfall in most places in Darjeeling till Monday morning, while heavy rainfall is expected in Murshidabad, Birbhum and Nadia districts of South Bengal during the same period.