Landslides

Earlier this week, the Darjeeling hills were hit hard with heavy rains caused by cyclonic weather in the Bay of Bengal several hundred kilometers to the south. It rained for nearly 48 hours non-stop and the downpour caused hundreds of landslides throughout the region. Many were very small and didn't cause any significant damage. We had four small landslides in our neighborhood that blocked our road, knocked down some large trees, severed water and power lines, and just made a general mess of things. However, there were larger landslides that destroyed homes and claimed lives. We don't know for sure, but we've heard that around 20 people were killed by the landslides just in the city of Darjeeling alone. The rain has let up now, and people are working across the city to clean up the damage. Jared helped some men in our neighborhood clear the road and fix the water line to our house. We're very thankful that water is coming to our house again and that we can get to the market to buy food, but we're still mindful that many people lost all their possessions, homes, and loved ones. We just ask that you please remember the people of Darjeeling in your prayers during this difficult time.

This large landslide (between the yellow dots) happened down below

our neighborhood. The house near the yellow dot at the top of the

hill is still in danger of sliding down. 

Jared is pictured here helping some of the men from our neighborhood

clear mud and debris out of the road just in front of our house. Jared 

spent most of the day on Tuesday working outside in the pouring rain and

was very wet and cold by the end. Tonya made him some hot noodle soup,

and Jared was very, very thankful!

The men in our neighborhood are working to cut and clear away

this large tree that came down on the road near our house.