May 26, 2009 was the darkest day for people living in the Darjeeling hills. Cyclone Aila struck with fury. Around 27 people died and hundreds were left homeless. Landslides ripped homes, electricity connections snapped and roads were left in tatters. Two dams being built by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), Stages III and IV of the Teesta Low Dam Project (TLDP) suffered huge damage. "This is precisely the scenario we have been shouting hoarse about," said Praful Rao of Save the Hills, an NGO campaigning against the landslide menace. "Landslides take place in densely populated urban areas and the cause is largely anthropogenic. I have talked to many people from Darjeeling and Kurseong and we agree that landslides are caused by improper drainage."