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Darjeeling landslide deaths 38, heavy rains continue in Uttarakhand, Gujarat

by IBNS 02 Jul 2015, 09:19 am

New Delhi, Jul 2 (IBNS) The toll in the Darjeeling landslides has increased to 38 as monsoon rains continue to play havoc across the country

Reports said at least 38 people died so far in a series of landslides in the hills sub-divisions of Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong since Tuesday.

At least 25 landslides during the period caused the devastation which also snapped road link from Siliguri to Sikkim and Darjeeling causing heavy damage to NH 10 and 55.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his pain at the Darjeeling tragedy announced a compensation of Rs. 2 lakh each for the families of the deceased.

He has asked union minister of state for home affairs  Kiren Rijju to visit Darjeeling to take stock of the situation.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee  visited the Mirik landslide site in New Jalpaiguri late on Wednesday night to assess the situation.

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand has triggered landslides and the Haldwani-Ramnagar highway has blocked.  The Jim Corbett Park remained shut due to heavy rains in the region.

Abnormal rains also caused  massive crop damage in Gujarat. Downpour followed by floods in several parts of the state have washed away more than 14,600 hectares of farmland since last week.

Amreli and Rajkot are the worst hit where Shetrunji and Bhadar rivers overflowed after incessant rains.

At least nine Asiatic lions have died due to floods in the Gir Forest National Park while 3,700 cattle dead in Amreli alone.