Darjeeling: At least nine people were killed and two others went missing after a massive landslide struck parts of Mirik late on Saturday night following incessant heavy rains in West Bengal’s Darjeeling subdivision, officials said on Sunday.
Traffic movement was disrupted and communication with several nearby areas was cut off after the landslide hit the Mirik–Sukhi–Pokhori road. Rescue and relief operations are underway, an official said, adding that local administration, police, and disaster response teams have reached the affected sites.
A team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed in the Mirik Lake area, which suffered the worst damage. According to reports from the NDRF and district administration, nine deaths have been confirmed so far, while two people remain untraced.
Fatalities have been reported from Sarsali, Jasbirgaon, Mirik Basti, Dhar Gaon (Mechi), and the Mirik Lake area. At least four people were rescued from the debris in Dhargaon, where several houses collapsed due to the landslide.
Several families have been evacuated to safer locations in Bishnulal village, Ward 3 Lakeside, and Jasbir village of Mirik as a precautionary measure. Temporary relief camps have been set up in coordination with local NGOs and the district administration.
