New Delhi, Oct 5
Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Sunday condoled the loss of lives in Darjeeling following heavy rains and landslides.
In a post on X, the Vice President said: “Deeply anguished by the tragic loss of lives in the bridge mishap in Darjeeling following heavy rains and landslides. Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured.â€
President Droupadi Murmu also expressed sadness over the loss of lives in the natural calamity.
In a post on X, President Murmu said, "The tragic loss of lives due to heavy rain and landslides in Darjeeling, West Bengal, is distressing. I express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the success of rescue and relief operations and wish a speedy recovery to those injured."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief and assured the Centre’s assistance to the affected.
At least 13 people have died in landslides in the North Bengal hills, following continuous overnight rain, causing widespread severe disruptions, said officials on Sunday. Among them, nine were killed when an iron bridge collapsed in Mirik in the Darjeeling district. Four people died in the Sukhia area in separate landslides.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Deeply pained by the loss of lives due to a bridge mishap in Darjeeling. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon."
"The situation in Darjeeling and the surrounding areas is being closely monitored in the wake of heavy rains and landslides. We are committed to providing all possible assistance to those affected," he added.
The administration has closed all tourist points in Darjeeling. Tourists stuck in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and other areas have been told not to venture out of their hotels.
The Meteorological Office has forecast heavy rain in North Bengal for the next two days, which is likely to worsen the situation and cause inconvenience to the rescue operations.
The Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata's Alipore had issued a warning of very heavy rain in the Darjeeling district. The rain started on Saturday night and continued till Sunday morning, causing havoc in the hills.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good to see our leaders expressing solidarity, but we need more than just condolences. The infrastructure in hilly areas needs serious attention. This isn't the first time such incidents have happened in North Bengal.
As someone who has traveled extensively in India, Darjeeling holds a special place in my heart. The local administration did right by closing tourist spots and advising people to stay indoors. Safety first!
My cousin works in rescue operations in North Bengal. These landslides are becoming more frequent due to climate change and deforestation. We need long-term solutions, not just immediate relief.
The coordination between state and central government is crucial here. Glad to see PM Modi assuring assistance. Hope the affected families get the support they need during this difficult time.
Heavy rains in hilly areas are always dangerous. The meteorological department had issued warnings, but sometimes these natural calamities are unavoidable. My prayers with all affected families. 🌧ï¸ðŸ’”
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