By Mubasshir Mushtaq
MUMBAI, India
At least 18 people have been killed in landslides following heavy rains in India’s eastern state of West Bengal.
The hill stations of the state’s northern Darjeeling district were hit by the landslides on Tuesday night, reported the Press Trust of India.
The landslides blocked two national highways, cutting off road transport to Darjeeling and the neigbhoring state of Sikkim.
“Anguished about loss of lives in Mirik/Kalimpong landslides. Home Secretary already in N Bengal,” West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted Wednesday.
Banerjee, who was attending a meeting in Murshidabad district, cut short her official engagement to rush to the affected north Bengal region, her All India Trinamool Congress Party said in a statement on Wednesday.
The Indian Home Ministry and state police have sent rescue teams to the affected areas to clear the roadblocks but their efforts have been slowed by continuing rain.
At least 15 people were reported missing in Kalimpong.
Hundreds of people living near the Teesta river have been left stranded after heavy rains caused the river to overflow.
