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Mudslides kill 38 in Darjeeling, hills cut off, PM,CM condole deaths, announce ex-gratia

Mudslides kill 38 in Darjeeling, hills cut off, PM,CM condole deaths, announce ex-gratia

Siliguri, Jul 2 (UNI) In one of the worst tragedies in recent times, 38 people perished in mudslides triggered by torrential overnight rains in Darjeeling. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee told reporters in Bahrampur that 38 people, including children, had died in the landslips which had cut off the Hills and Sikkim from the rest of the country. She announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakhs to each family of the deceased and Rs 1.25 lakhs to the injured. Reports from Darjeeling said 31 bodies had been recovered, with Mirik in Kurseong sub-division alone accounting for 20 deaths, followed by ten in Kalimpong, including six members of a family, and one at Sukiapokhari. The dead included women and children. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while condoling the deaths, announced a relief of Rs 2 lakhs each to families of the deceased and asked MoS (Home) Kiren Rijiju to rush to Darjeeling and report to him. He said while Mr Rijiju would rush to the location (Darjeeling) to take stock of the situation, a team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was sent for rescue operation. "Deeply pained at the loss of lives due to the landslides in Darjeeling district. Condolence to the families of the deceased," Mr Modi tweeted.Official sources said the toll in the devastating mudslides would rise as 8-9 people were still missing in Mirik and Kalimpong. A small girl was rescued after mudslides flattened her Kalimpong home but her parents were still missing.Para-military forces of SSB and Disaster Management Response Force swung into actionas many areas were still inaccessible due to blocked roads. The Chief Minister will go to Darjeeling by cutting short her Murshidabad schedule. She has asked Home Secretary Basudeb Banerjee to monitor the situation. District Magistrate Anurag Srivastava said the Army had also been alerted.The worst affected area was Limbu Gown in Mirik where 20 bodies were recovered.Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) chief Bimal Gurung announced a relief of Rs 2 lakhs for families of dead and Rs 50,000 to the injured. "Our prayers are with the people who lost their lives in last night's landslide.The landslides in GTA area have caused huge human casualty and property losses," Mr Gurung said. He said the GTA was working round-the-clock to coordinate efforts and provide best assistance to all survivors and those who have lost their houses."I would personally write to the government for immediate funds for relief work and a team to visit the hills," he said.Meanwhile, a report from Jalpaiguri said some 5000 people have been marooned in Rajgunge, Mainaguri and Jalpaiguri Sadar blocks after dykes caved in following rising water of the Teesta and Jaldhaka rivers. One person was washed away by the floods, officials said. The Army was called to rescue the marooned people in the district. Links to Sikkim, Darjeeling and Dooars have snapped following landslides on NH 10, NH 55 and NH 31. Vast areas of Darjeeling had no electricity and tele services. UNI XC-PC PL SB RP1800

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