Nine dead, two missing as heavy rain triggers massive landslides in Darjeeling

: At least nine people died and two others went missing as incessant heavy rainfall triggered multiple landslides across the Darjeeling hills Saturday, sweeping away homes, damaging roads, and cutting off several remote hamlets, officials said.

Rescue and relief operations are underway by the local administration, police, and disaster response teams, Darjeeling Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Richard Lepcha told PTI.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has joined the rescue operations in Mirik Lake area, one of the worst-hit zones, officials said.

According to reports compiled by the NDRF and the district administration, nine deaths have been confirmed so far, while two others remain untraced.

Fatalities were reported from several locations – Sarsaly, Jasbirgaon, Mirik Basti, Dhar