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Key Points

Heavy rainfall has caused severe devastation in Darjeeling with landslides killing seven people. The NDRF has deployed three teams to conduct rescue operations in the affected Mirik area. Several key roads including the Kurseong-Darjeeling route have been blocked due to landslides and bridge collapses. Authorities are working to evacuate stranded tourists through the still-operational Tindharia Road within the next few hours.

Key Points: NDRF Deploys Teams in Darjeeling Landslides Killing 7

  • NDRF deploys three teams from Darjeeling, Siliguri and Alipurduar for rescue operations
  • Torrential rains triggered massive landslides killing at least seven people in Mirik area
  • Several roads including Kurseong-Darjeeling route blocked due to landslides and bridge collapse
  • Authorities working to evacuate tourists through operational Tindharia Road within hours
3 min read

NDRF deploys three teams in disaster-hit Darjeeling

NDRF deploys three rescue teams in Darjeeling's Mirik area after torrential rains trigger landslides killing 7 people and cutting off villages in West Bengal.

"7 dead bodies have already been recovered from the debris. We have information about two more people. - Abhishek Roy, Additional SP Kurseong"

Darjeeling, October 5

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said on Sunday that it has deployed three teams at the disaster-hit Mirik area in Darjeeling subdivision of West Bengal, where torrential rains have unleashed widespread devastation and killed seven people.

NDRF DIG Mohsen Shahedi told ANI that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed its three teams from Darjeeling, Siliguri and Alipurduar areas at the disaster-hit Mirik area in Darjeeling subdivision of West Bengal, where "torrential rains have unleashed widespread devastation", triggering "massive landslips that killed at least seven people" and "cut off several villages" in the region.

Two more teams- one each from Malda and Kolkata- are being moved. The NDRF teams are engaged in rescue operations, DIG Shahedi added.

Heavy rainfall in North Bengal has triggered landslides and severe waterlogging, leading to extensive damage, road blockages, and loss of lives in several districts, including Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri.According to Abhishek Roy, Additional SP Kurseong, seven bodies have been recovered from the debris, with two more people still missing.The landslide occurred at Dilaram on the Kurseong road, blocking the route to Darjeeling. Other roads, including Rohini Road, have also been affected, while Tindharia Road remains operational.

Speaking on the situation, Abhishek Roy, Additional SP, Kurseong, Darjeeling district police, said, "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. A landslide occurred at Dilaram on the Kurseong road, which leads to Darjeeling. That road is blocked... Rohini Road is also blocked due to a landslide at Gourishankar... The condition of Pankhabari Road is extremely poor... Tindharia road is functioning right now. We are trying to evacuate all the tourists in Mirik in three to four hours through Tindharia..."

The police and local authorities are working to evacuate tourists from Mirik through Tindharia Road within the next three to four hours. A team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been dispatched to assist in rescue operations.

Movement of vehicles has been restricted on the Siliguri-Darjeeling SH-12 road after a portion of the Dudhia iron bridge collapsed due to incessant rainfall in the region.In Jalpaiguri district, excessive waterlogging has been reported in Porajhar, Rajganj block, where heavy rainfall has inundated several houses and farmlands.

Many people were forced to leave their homes after a portion of the embankment on the River Mahananda suddenly collapsed, officials said.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
This is so tragic. Darjeeling is such a beautiful place and now this disaster. Why aren't we better prepared for monsoon season? Every year we see similar situations in different parts of the country. Need better infrastructure and early warning systems.
A
Arjun K
Good to see NDRF acting swiftly. They are our real heroes during such crises. Hope the additional teams from Malda and Kolkata reach soon. The local administration should also ensure proper coordination.
S
Sarah B
My cousin was supposed to be traveling there for vacation. Thankfully they postponed. This is really worrying. Hope all tourists are evacuated safely through Tindharia road. Stay safe everyone!
V
Vikram M
The bridge collapse and multiple road blockages are concerning. This will affect supply chains and daily life for weeks. Government should immediately start relief work and compensation for affected families.
K
Karthik V
Climate change is making these extreme weather events more frequent. We need to take this seriously as a nation. Meanwhile, kudos to the rescue teams working in difficult conditions. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
M
Michael C
While I appreciate the rescue efforts, I wish the response was even faster. Two people are still missing and every minute counts in such situations. Hope they're found safe soon.

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