38 killed in Darjeeling landslides

At least 38 people were killed as heavy rain triggered a series of landslides in the Himalayan mountains of Darjeeling since Tuesday night, officials said.    

As many as 21 deaths occurred in Mirik alone where another 13 people were also reported missing, sources in West Bengal's Disaster Management Department said.     

The remaining 17 people died in Kalimpong, Lava, Sukhia block and Gorubathan, the sources said.         

The landslides in 25 places spread in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong sub-divisions also caused extensive damage to national highways, snapping road link to the region.       

Security personnel were carrying out rescue operations and the army's help has been sought.

Twenty persons were also injured in the calamity and 15 people were reported missing in 8 Mile and 11 Mile areas in Kalimpong, the sources said. 

Border Roads Organisation (BRO) men were engaged in clearing the blocked roads.