India, Oct. 5 -- At least 20 people were killed as relentless heavy rainfall unleashed a series of massive landslides across West Bengal's Darjeeling district on Saturday, flattening homes, damaging roads, and leaving several remote hamlets cut off, officials said.

The death toll is expected to rise as varying reports of deaths are emerging and more damaged homes are searched. According to news agency PTI, North Bengal development minister Udayan Guha described the situation as "alarming" and put the death toll at 20, citing preliminary reports from local authorities.

Rescue and relief operations are being carried out by the district administration, police, and disaster response teams, while the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) h...