Amidst widespread flooding and destruction caused by torrential rains across North Bengal hills, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that she will personally visit the affected areas to assess the situation on the ground. She has been monitoring the disaster response round-the-clock from Nabanna, the state secretariat, since Saturday night.
Continuous heavy rainfall within a short span of time has left the vast regions of the northern part of the state reeling. In Incessant overnight rains have claimed 20 lives, caused two iron bridges to collapse, while large parts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar remain under water.
Expressing deep concern over the situation, the Chief Minister wrote on her official X handle, “I am deeply worried and concerned that several areas in both North Bengal and South Bengal have been flooded due to sudden huge rains within a few hours last night, as well as due to the rush of excessive river waters in our State from outside. Yesterday night, there was sudden rainfall exceeding 300 mm in 12 hours in North Bengal, along with heavy inflow of water into the Sankosh river and rivers flowing from Bhutan and Sikkim. This caused disasters.”
Mamata expressed her condolences to the families of 20 people who have lost their lives in the floods, assuring that the state government will provide full support and assistance to the bereaved families.
According to the Chief Minister’s Office, Mirik, Matigara and Kalimpong are among the worst-hit areas, with major road networks damaged or submerged. Rescue and relief operations are being carried out in full swing.
The Chief Minister held multiple virtual meetings with Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, the Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar and District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police from the affected North Bengal districts. Public representatives such as Gautam Deb and Anit Thapa also attended the meetings.
“I have been monitoring the situation from last night on a round-the-clock basis. I have held virtual meetings with the Chief Secretary, DG of Police, and the North Bengal DMs and SPs. I am in constant touch and will personally go to North Bengal with my Chief Secretary tomorrow,” Mamata stated.
She also issued a special message for tourists currently stranded in North Bengal due to floods and landslides. “We are advising the tourists in North Bengal to stay put where they are till our police evacuates them safely. Rescue costs are ours and tourists need not be anxious,” the Chief Minister said, assuring full administrative support.
A 24-hour control room has been set up at Nabanna and all district headquarters to coordinate rescue efforts. People from affected areas can contact the Nabanna Disaster Management Control Room for assistance by dialing 033-2214-3526 / 033-2253-5185 and toll-free numbers: 86979-81070 / 1070
As the Chief Minister prepares to visit the flood-hit regions, the state government continues to focus on rescue, relief, and rehabilitation measures to aid those affected by one of the most severe weather events of the year.
Also read: Bhutan warns of flooding in North Bengal after dam overflow
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