18 Killed in Darjeeling landslides

At least 18 people have been killed in landslides triggered by heavy rains in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong sub-divisions since last night, a SSB officer said today.

The landslides have caused extensive damage to NH 10 (old NH 55A) and NH 55, cutting off road and telecommunication link to Darjeeling and Sikkim.

There are also reports of 15 people missing at 8 Mile and 11 Mile areas in Kalimpong.

NH-10 has borne the brunt with the road link to Sikkim, Kalimpong, Lava, Lolegaon and Garubathan snapped.

NH 55 connecting Siliguri, Matigara with Darjeeling was also damaged particularly in Mirik and Rohini areas. A bridge on NH 55 has been washed away at Nimbujhora.