Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday condoled the deaths due to landslides in Kurseong and Kalimpong in West Bengal's Darjeeling district and announced a compensation of Rs.2 lakh each to the families of those killed.
The Rs.2 lakh will be in addition to the Rs.4 lakh to be given from the National Disaster Relief Fund.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and assured of all possible assistance from the central government.
He directed the authorities to take up rescue and relief operations immediately.
Two National Disaster Response Force teams have been dispatched for rescue operations, said an official statement.
On the instruction of the prime minister, a high-level team headed by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju is leaving for Kurseong and Kalimpong to take stock of the situation.
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Rijiju will be accompanied by Darjeeling Lok Sabha member S.S. Ahluwalia and NDRF's Deputy Inspector General (Operations) S.S. Guleria.
At least 30 people were killed in landslides triggered by incessant rain in the Darjeeling hills since late Tuesday.