Kolkata: Rescue operations in the quake-hit
areas of north Bengal were affected today after heavy rains
and landslides in several parts of Darjeeling hills snapped
road communication even as the death toll rose to five in the
state.
"Reports reaching here said two deaths were reported from
Kalimpong and one each from Siliguri and Jalpaiguri and one in
the tea garden of Doors," state chief secretary Samar Ghosh said.
State Commerce and Industry Minister Partha Chatterjee,
on way to Siliguri, said that he would hold a high-level
meeting there to step up rescue operations and arrange
rehabilitation of the affected people in Darjeeling hills.
North Bengal Development Minister Goutam Deb was asked
by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to coordinate with
Chatterjee during his visit to the quake-hit areas.
Harka Bahadur Chetri, GJM MLA from Kalimpong, said power
supply was restored in the area this morning but the tremor
has left a trail of devastation in the entire hills.
Several buildings were damaged and developed wide cracks,
he said, adding that landslides occurred in many areas of
Kalimpong and the road link to Siliguri and Sikkim was
blocked.
The Chief Minister has been personally monitoring the
situation and two control rooms were set up for giving
information - one for Kolkata and another for north Bengal.
Meanwhile, the entire administration has been asked to
be on the alert and be ready for any eventuality, sources
said.
PTI
First Published: Monday, September 19, 2011, 12:32