Hill relief centres opened

Kurseong, June 19: The subdivisional administration has opened relief centres at three places to evacuate landslides-affected families in Kurseong. Thirteen houses had been damaged yesterday in the calamity triggered by heavy rain.

Five affected families have been shifted to the relief centres, while the others have taken shelter at their relatives’ houses.

The centres have been opened at St Joseph’s Girls’ Primary School at Ward 2 and Raj Rajeshwari School and Municipal Boys’ School both in Ward 6. “Relief centres can also be opened at every government building and school in all the blocks, if necessary,” said Asha Mukhia Lama, the relief officer at the subdivisional office.

A quick response team and civil defence volunteers have been kept ready at the subdivisional office for any eventuality. “We have opened a relief cell in our office despite the bandh in view of the incessant rain that has been lashing the hills for the past few days,” Lama said.

Relief material like blanket, tarpaulin and clothes has been given to the municipality and foodgrain and other essential commodities have been stocked up for relief operation, she added.