West Bengal, Sikkim landslides: Rahul asks Centre to provide urgent assistance

New Delhi: The Congress on Sunday expressed deep concern over the devastating landslides in West Bengal and Sikkim and urged the Centre to immediately provide necessary assistance to the affected states.

At least 18 people, including several children, died as incessant heavy rainfall triggered multiple landslides across the Mirik and Darjeeling hills in the northern part of West Bengal on Sunday, sweeping away homes, damaging roads and cutting off several remote hamlets.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi expressed grief over the loss of lives in the incident and urged the Centre to provide relief assistance to the affected states.

"Deeply concerned about the devastating floods in West Bengal and Sikkim, especially in the Darjeeling and North Bengal regions, where several people have lost their lives, and a bridge has also tragically collapsed," Kharge said on X.

"My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. Expect the victims to be adequately and promptly compensated," he said.

Kharge urged the Union government to provide relief assistance to the affected states, including additional teams of NDRF.

He also said Congress leaders and workers should reach out to the distressed people and ensure all possible help.

Gandhi said the news of the deaths and disappearance of many others due to heavy rains and landslides in various parts of West Bengal and Sikkim is deeply saddening.

"I express my deepest condolences to the affected families and hope that the missing are found safe and sound as soon as possible," the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha said in a post in Hindi on X.

Gandhi appealed to the administration to further expedite relief and rescue operations.

"The central government is urged to immediately provide necessary assistance to the affected states in view of the gravity of the situation," he said.

Gandhi also called on Congress leaders and workers to cooperate with the administration and provide all possible assistance to the affected people.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also condoled the loss of lives in the devastating landslides in West Bengal and Sikkim.

"May the departed souls rest in peace. My deepest condolences to the affected families. I pray for the well-being of those missing," she said in a post in Hindi on X.

"I appeal to the state and central governments to provide all necessary assistance to those affected, including relief and rescue operations," Priyanka Gandhi said.

She also called on Congress leaders and workers to assist the affected people as much as possible.

According to reports compiled by the NDRF and the Darjeeling district administration, fatalities were reported from several locations - Sarsaly, Jasbirgaon, Mirik Basti, Dhar Gaon (Mechi), Nagrakata and Mirik Lake area.

In a statement, the NDRF said at least 11 people have died in Mirik, the worst affected area in the landslide, and seven injured have been rescued from the area.

In Darjeeling, seven people died and the rescue operations were underway with the help of police, local administration and disaster response teams.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced compensation for the victims without specifying the amount and said she would visit north Bengal on October 6 to assess the situation in the region where a large number of tourists have also been affected.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also expressed condolences over the deaths and said the situation in Darjeeling and surrounding areas is being closely monitored in the wake of heavy rains and landslides.