The rainy season is in full force in West Bengal, India. On Tuesday night, June 30, the incessant rainfall triggered major landslides all across the hills and swept away at least 400 homes while people were sleeping. Kalimpong, the nearest city to Relli where the LOT Home is located, received more than 20 mm (8 inches) of rain. People and homes have been swept away by the landslides in various regions. So far 40 people are reported dead, 23 people reported missing and 500 displaced. Around 200-250 families are being sheltered in 3 relief camps yet another landslide occurred in the Darjeeling district even as people were returning home from the camps.
Roads have been damaged at several places and earth moving equipment has been sent to the affected area. The government is also seeking the army’s help to restore road connectivity that has been severed at many places in the district. The roads where minor landslides occurred have been cleared while the ones with major mud slides, like Siliguri-Kalimpong route (the road to the LOT Home), will take some time. “Things are really very bad,” said Porwal the Road Works chief engineer.
Chief Minister Mamata set out to see the damage. She left early this morning but had to abandon her plans of visiting Tingling village because the roads leading to it were all washed away. After much effort she did manage to visit another village, Mirik, after taking a detour. She later tweeted: “I started early in the morning by road to reach the spot where the landslide was worst. A journey of normally one hour is taking six hours. Met families of victims and those affected in the area. Distributed relief and visited community centers where families are. Three villages have particularly been affected. Three community kitchens have been opened to feed the victims.”
Praise God the LOT Home is safe & has sustained no damage! “For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” Psalms 91:11
Pictures show: Chief minister Mamata visiting victims; LOT Home; bridge in Mirik destroyed
