Incessant
heavy rains for 3 days followed by massive landslides in and around Darjeeling
took a heavy toll on both life and tourism.
The
calamity that struck on late Tuesday night has claimed 40 lives till now and
injured many.
Portions
of National Highways 10 and 55 have been washed away, power stands disrupted,
bridges have collapsed leading to communication both delayed and difficult.
While
heavy rains continued for 3 days, the destructive landslides late at night didn’t
give anyone a chance to react and washed away houses and villages on the
hillsides, while people lay asleep in those.
The
locals joined hands with paramilitary forces and police in relief and rescue
operations. People were seen digging with bare hands to rescue lives under
heavy debris.
Hundreds
of tourists visiting Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong have been stranded here
and there as the connecting roads and bridges have been washed away.
The
toy train ride along with other transportation services are affected as the
rains still continue and are predicted to do so for next few days.
The
worst affected areas are Mirik and Kalimpong with many dead and quite a few
missing.
As
I write, fresh landslides have been reported from the region, 32 bodies have been
recovered and 11 people stand missing, rescue and relief operations are being
carried out in full swing by NDRF and SSB along with State Government’s Disaster
Management Team and Indian army.
While Darjeeling is already facing a crisis, Jalpaiguri is under flood threat as the water in the Teesta River is flowing over the danger mark.
