Darjeeling, West Bengal – A heavy‑rain‑driven landslip crisis that killed at least 18 people has hit the Himalayan district hard, and Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Vardhan Shringla is on the ground delivering relief.
Shringla arrived in Darjeeling on Tuesday to visit families displaced by the deadly slides. He met the Governor, CV Ananda Bose, and the Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, at a relief camp in Mirik. The camp hosts people who have lost their homes; the MP and officials gave them tarpaulins, water and food so that they can set up temporary shelters.
The MP highlighted how the army is helping. A commander in the area has signed up engineers to build a temporary bridge across the river at Dudhia. Shringla said the bridge is waiting for approval from the Defence Ministry, but it will soon restore crucial road links for residents and traders.
Shringla also reminded people that the Prime Minister has announced an ex‑gratia payment for families of the deceased and the injured. The Governor has added an immediate cash grant to the relief effort. The state government, led by Banerjee, has recently announced a 5‑lakh rupee payment and a special “Homeguard” job for the families of the flood victims.
Earlier, officials from the state and the national party sent teams to Mirik, Jore bunglow, Sukhia Pokhari and Darjeeling Sadar to assess damage. The death toll comes from heavy rain that battered the district Saturday night and the following week. According to district authorities, Mirik accounts for about 10–11 deaths, while the rest of the region added to the total of 18.
Shringla said he would continue his visits, paying respects to families and pushing for fast action. “We must stay united, patient, and cautious in this hard time,” he urged, echoing the Chief Minister’s call for calm and resilience.
Source: aninews
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