The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), a semi-autonomous council that governs Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts, has estimated that the recent natural disaster in the hills caused damage worth ₹950 crore. The figures were presented during a GTA meeting at the Gorkha Rangamancha Bhavan, attended by 98 members, including elected and nominated representatives and GTA Chief Executive Anit Thapa.
According to GTA sources, the semi-autonomous body has also formed an 11-member committee to coordinate relief and rehabilitation efforts with both the state and central governments. “The committee will oversee the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure and ensure aid reaches the affected areas efficiently,” said a GTA official.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reached Kurseong on Monday evening and visited the Jorbunglow-Sukhiyapokhari block on Tuesday, one of the worst-affected regions. The Chief Minister also distributed relief materials to the victims at the Jorbunglow BDO office premises.
The GTA’s preliminary report reveals that Darjeeling, Kurseong and Mirik municipalities, along with five hill blocks, have been severely affected by the October 4 disaster, which was triggered by heavy rains, flooding rivers and multiple landslides. The death toll across the hills, including the Jorbunglo-Sukhiyapokhari block, has risen to 24.
Massive destruction has been reported, including roads, culverts, bridges, houses and homestays swept away by landslides and river flows. Schools, electricity poles and water supply lines have been damaged, while tea gardens, orange orchards, cinchona plantations and agricultural lands have suffered major losses. Parts of popular tourist destinations like Tabakoshi have been completely devastated.
GTA Chairman Anjul Chauhan said, “So far, reports of damage worth ₹950 crore have been submitted from the hills after the terrible disaster of October 4. The amount is likely to increase further. This report will be submitted to the Chief Minister. The disaster has already been declared a state-level disaster.”
Chauhan also confirmed that the GTA meeting discussed reconstruction and rehabilitation plans in detail.
“A committee of 11 people has been formed to oversee the rebuilding of disaster-hit areas. Members of opposition political parties, including Ajay Edward and Binay Tamang, have also been included,” he said.
Also read: North Bengal returns to normalcy after floods and landslides
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