A central team, headed by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, today visited landslide-hit areas in Darjeeling district of West Bengal, where 38 people were killed, and took stock of rescue and relief operations.
Rijiju, who arrived here this evening following a directive of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, visited relief camps in Tingling area under Kurseong sub-division where hundreds of people were rendered homeless after the disaster.
"Despite rough and hilly region and inclement weather, rescue efforts were on. It is very sad to see such catastrophic damages. So far, 38 bodies have been recovered and efforts are on to recover the remaining missing people," he told PTI tonight.
Rijiju, along with Darjeeling MP S S Ahluwalia and officials of Home Ministry and NDRF, visited hospitals and met hundreds of injured people.
Immediate reliefs are being provided to all needy people, he said.
Bimal Gurung, Gorkhaland Council Chief, state government officials along with NDRF & SSB officials were accompanying the Minister.
Tomorrow, the team will visit Kalimpong areas.
"All efforts are being made for rescue and relief operation by combine efforts of the state and central governments," he said.
At least 38 people have been killed in a series of landslides triggered by heavy rains in the three sub-divisions of Darjeeling district since last night.
