At least 17 persons have been killed in rain-related incidents in Kalimpong and Darjeeling districts since early Sunday morning, M Modak, the executive director of the Disaster Management Department in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, told Scroll.
Several persons were also missing amid several landslides in the Darjeeling hills, PTI reported.
Darjeeling Sub-Divisional Officer Richard Lepcha told the news agency that rescue and relief operations were underway in the affected areas.
In the Darjeeling district, deaths were reported from Sarsaly, Jasbirgaon, Mirik Basti, Dhar Gaon (Mechi) and the Mirik Lake area, PTI quoted unidentified officials as saying. Four persons were rescued from under the debris in Dhar Gaon.
The National Disaster Response Force had joined the rescue operations in the Mirik Lake area.
Traffic movement on several key routes, including from Darjeeling to Siliguri, was disrupted due to the landslides and communication lines to several hilltop settlements were also snapped.
An iron bridge over the Balason River at Dudhia, connecting Siliguri and Mirik, also collapsed due to the heavy rainfall in the region, the Hindustan Times reported.
The rising waters in the Teesta river have cut off access to Sikkim and Kalimpong, according to The Indian Express.
North Bengal Development Minister Udayan Guha told PTI that the situation was “alarming”.
“As per our reports eleven people have died in Mirik and six in Darjeeling,” Guha said. “But the figure is not yet confirmed.”
The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in sub-Himalayan West Bengal, including Darjeeling and Kalimpong, till Monday. The weather agency also warned of more landslides and road blockages due to saturated soil conditions.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that she was “deeply worried and concerned” that areas in North Bengal and South Bengal had been flooded due to sudden rainfall within a few hours on Saturday night, as well as due to “rush of excessive river waters in our state from outside”.
“We have been shocked and saddened to know that we have lost some brothers and sisters in the situation evolved by huge rainfall and river floods,” Banerjee said on social media. “I convey my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and shall send all assistance to the families immediately.”
The chief minister said that two iron bridges had collapsed, several roads were damaged and flooded, and huge tracts of land in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts were inundated.
The Trinamool Congress chief added that she would be visiting affected regions in North Bengal on Monday.
“Meanwhile, we are advising the tourists in North Bengal to stay put where they are till our police evacuates them safely,” she said. “…I am personally keeping information, giving instructions and surveying the situations continually.”
President Droupadi Murmu said that the loss of lives due to the heavy rain and landslides in Darjeeling was distressing.
“I express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families,” Murmu said on social media. “I pray for the success of rescue and relief operations and wish a speedy recovery to those injured.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the situation in Darjeeling and the surrounding areas was being closely monitored. “We are committed to providing all possible assistance to those affected,” he said on social media.
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