Rescue operation on, Mamata, Rijiju visit affected areas

Rescue operation is in full swing in the three sub-divisions of Darjeeling district where multiple landslides yesterday claimed 38 lives, washed away highways and damaged homes.
A fresh landslide occurred at Gayabari, 56 km from Darjeeling, cutting off road link between Darjeeling and Mirik, which alone had accounted for 21 deaths in yesterday's landslides, an official of West Bengal's Disaster Management Department said.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited areas in Mirik which were worst affected by landslides, met families of the victims and distributed relief and cheques.
Banerjee reached the affected area taking a detour as the road was damaged by landslides.

"Started early this morning by road to reach the spot which affected most by landslides (sic)," she tweeted.
The Chief Minister had yesterday announced a compensation of Rs four lakh each to the families of the deceased in landslides.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a compensation of Rs two lakh each to the families of the deceased and deputed Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju to rush to the area.
A central team, headed by Rijiju, had visited the landslide-hit areas in Kurseong yesterday and took stock of the rescue and relief operations.
Rijiju visited relief camps in the Tingling area under Kurseong sub-division where hundreds of people were rendered homeless after the disaster and met the injured in hospitals.

"We will give assistance for immediate relief and also provide help for reconstruction," Rijiju said.
National Disaster Response Team, Civil Defence personnel and local volunteers carried rescue work in the affected areas.
Rescue teams from the Sashastra Seema Bal and the National Disaster Management Authority have also been pressed into service.
The landslides in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong sub-divisions had caused extensive damage to NH-10 and NH-55, cutting off vital road links to the region.
Efforts were on to clear the roads to facilitate the return of the tourists to the plains.