Landslides leave 20 dead, 9 injured in south Assam

GUWAHATI: At least 20 people, including women and children, were buried alive after massive landslides, triggered by incessant rain, hit three districts in southern Assam’s Barak Valley early on Tuesday morning. Nine other injured people are battling for their lives in different hospitals.
"In Kaliganj area of Karimganj district that borders Bangladesh, six people, five of them are from one family, were killed by the landslide that buried them along with their house," said district officials.
The second landslide occurred at Kolapur village under Joypur police station in Cachar district where seven people, including three females, were buried under their house. The incident took place at around 5am on Tuesday.
The third mishap happened at Bhtatbazar village in Hailakandi district in which another seven people were buried alive in the landslide. Among the dead, six are from the same family and includes four children.
Rescue operation were on while after another erosion was reported at Fulertal Cachar under the Lakhipur revenue circle, authorities immediately evacuated the occupants of the houses and moved them to a safer place.

"Deeply anguished at the loss of lives due to landslides triggered by incessant rain in Barak valley. I have directed Cachar, Hailakandi & Karimganj district administrations and SDRF to step up rescue, relief operations and facilitate all possible help needed to those affected,” Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal tweeted.