22 killed in Darjeeling landslides after cyclone

Siliguri, May 26 : At least 22 people were killed and several injured in landslides - triggered by Cyclone Aila - in West Bengal's hill district of Darjeeling Tuesday, police said.

"At least 22 people died and 10 were injured in landslides across Darjeeling district. We've got reports that six people also went missing in the district," Darjeeling Additional Superintendent of Police Akhilesh Chaturvedi said.

"Seven people were killed in Kerseong sub-division, 11 in Darjeeling and four in Jorbanglow locality.

"The army has been called in to carry out the rescue operations in different parts of the hills. Near 500 houses were damaged due to torrential rain that started yesterday (Monday) morning and still continuing in northern parts of the state," he said.

According to sources, nearly 100 landslides took place across Darjeeling and its adjoining areas causing immense trouble to thousands of locals living in the hilly region.

Cyclone Aila created havoc across West Bengal Monday, claiming a total of 82 lives by Tuesday evening.