West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee to visit landslide-hit Darjeeling hills

KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said that she is monitoring the situation in the Darjeeling hills arising out of landslides caused by heavy rain and will rush there during the day.

Banerjee, now in Murshidabad district tweeted, "I am monitoring the situation closely and will rush there after the meeting in Murshidabad".

She also expressed anguish over the loss of lives in the landslides.

Meanwhile, North Bengal development minister Gautam Deb said that army help was sought for the rescue operations in the hills.

At least 18 people were killed in landslides triggered by heavy rains in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong sub-divisions of Darjeeling district since last night.