At least nine persons were killed and two others went missing after several landslides triggered by heavy rainfall in West Bengal’s Darjeeling on Sunday, PTI reported.

Darjeeling Sub-Divisional Officer Richard Lepcha told the news agency that rescue and relief operations were underway in the affected areas.

Deaths were reported from Sarsaly, Jasbirgaon, Mirik Basti, Dhar Gaon (Mechi) and the Mirik Lake area in the district, PTI quoted unidentified officials as saying. Four persons were rescued from under the debris in Dhar Gaon.

The National Disaster Response Force had joined the rescue operations in the Mirik Lake area.

Traffic movement on several key routes, including from Darjeeling to Siliguri, was disrupted due to the landslides and communication lines to several hilltop settlements were also snapped.

An iron bridge over the Balason River at Dudhia, connecting Siliguri and Mirik, also collapsed due to the heavy rainfall in the region, the Hindustan Times reported.

The rising waters in the Teesta river have cut off access to Sikkim and Kalimpong, according to The Indian Express.

North Bengal Development Minister Udayan Guha told PTI that the situation was “alarming”.

“As per our reports eleven people have died in Mirik and six in Darjeeling,” Guha said. “But the figure is not yet confirmed.”

The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in sub-Himalayan West Bengal, including Darjeeling and Kalimpong, till Monday. The weather agency also warned of more landslides and road blockages due to saturated soil conditions.

President Droupadi Murmu said that the loss of lives due to the heavy rain and landslides in Darjeeling was distressing.

“I express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families,” Murmu said on social media. “I pray for the success of rescue and relief operations and wish a speedy recovery to those injured.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the situation in Darjeeling and the surrounding areas was being closely monitored. “We are committed to providing all possible assistance to those affected,” he said on social media.

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