Flood, landslide claim 7 lives in North Bengal

Siliguri, Sep 8 (UNI) At least seven persons, including three women, died in the past 40 hours in landslides and floods triggered by torrential rains in North Bengal.

Incessant rain during the last four days caused the casualties in Darjeeling district alone. The rain triggered landslides in 25 places in the hill district. Consequently Darjeeling and Kalimpong, besides Sikkim, were cut off from the rest of the country.

Police said five persons--Shanti Chetri (37) of Bhalukhope, Kamal Tiroa (45) and Shital Tiroa (19) of Mangal Busty, Tirtha Bahadur Subba (57) and Sukhamoti Subba (47) of Upper Khoni area under Kalimpong sub-division were killed in landslides. Two more died at Bagora Busty of Kurseong sub-division. They were identified as Manmaya Tamang (40) and Sujan Tamang (14). sixty houses had been destroyed due to the landslide.

Meanwhile, the Flood Control Board of North Bengal issued a red alert in Teesta, Torsha, Mansai, Jaldhaka rivers since the water levels touched the 'alarming proportions.' More than a lakh people were in distress in the hills and Dooars region due to incessant rain.

The Army had been deployed in some places of Coochbehar district for rescue and relief operations, official sources said.

Railway connections had also been affected. Trains between New Jalpiguri and Alipurduar were cancelled since the railway bridges over the Liss and Ghish rivers were damaged.

Divisional Commissioner of Jalpaiguri, Biharilal Meena told UNI that the entire department was working round the clock to bring relief to the affected people.

A 100 meter stretch of National Highway 31 had been damaged near the Oashabari Tea Estate in Dooars.

District Magistrate of Coochbehar, Rajesh Singh told UNI that the leave of all government workers had been cancelled and the entire district put on alert.

Meanwhile, the Met Department of North Bengal University predicted more rain.

UNI