Darjeeling and surrounding areas face devastation after heavy rains triggered landslides. At least 7 people have died, 2 are missing, and over 100 rescued by NDRF. Bridge collapse and road closures worsen the crisis. President Murmu expressed grief and urged speedy relief
A portion of Balason Bridge collapses after heavy rainfall triggers landslides, in Darjeeling. Pic/PTI
Amid the devastating landslide that has been causing havoc in Darjeeling, at least three people, including two women, have died due to falling debris. The landslides happened after heavy rains triggered a landslide in Darjeeling's Mirik area, as reported by news agency ANI.
According to officials, the incident took place on Sunday (October 5) early morning, and the deceased have been identified as Bijendra Rai (62), Usha Rai (62) and Satma Lama (35).
Rinchen Lama, son-in-law of the deceased, was sleeping outside, while the deceased's relatives were sleeping inside the house, when the fatal incident happened, reported ANI.
Lama, while recalling how he could not even hear the landslide due to the heavy rains, stated that he woke up early in the morning to see the house being flooded along with the debris.
Lama, while talking to the media, asserted that "I was sleeping outside; my mom-in-law, dad-in-law and my sister had come here and were sleeping inside. It was raining heavily last night... When I woke at 6:25 AM, I saw that water had come into the house and saw that a landslide had happened," as cited by news agency ANI.
"It is the same everywhere; across Darjeeling it is the same. There are many other relatives who have not reached till now," he added, recalling the difficult situation across Darjeeling.
Meanwhile, at least 7 people have died and more than 100 others have been rescued following heavy rains, which triggered landslides in Darjeeling and the surrounding areas in West Bengal.
Incessant rains have wreaked havoc, as the landslides have resulted in the collapse of a bridge, seven fatalities, two missing persons, and the closure of multiple roads.
Emphasising the concerning situation in Darjeeling, Kurseong's Additional Superintendent of Police Abhishek Roy stated, "7 dead bodies have already been recovered from the debris. We have information about two more people. Work is being done to recover their bodies too," as per ANI.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) conducted flood and water rescue operations in the flood-affected areas and evacuated over 160 people following the heavy rains.
According to the rescue team, a total of 105 people were evacuated by boats, while another 55 were rescued via zip lines in Jalpaiguri. The team also recovered one deceased individual during the operations.
Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu also expressed grief over the loss of lives in a bridge mishap in Darjeeling, caused by heavy rain and landslides.
President Murmu also offered condolences to the bereaved families, wished a speedy recovery to the injured, and prayed for the success of ongoing rescue and relief operations.
(With inputs from ANI)
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