The chief minister advised stranded tourists to stay put wherever they are until they are rescued. (PTI)
As the death toll from floods crossed 20 in North Bengal, especially in the Darjeeling hills, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday held a high-level meeting at Nabanna (state secretariat), opened a 24/7 control room, and said she was monitoring the situation.
The chief minister and other officials are scheduled to visit North Bengal on Monday. “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 rush of excessive river waters in our State from outside,” Banerjee wrote on her X handle.
The chief minister said there was sudden rainfall exceeding 300 mm in 12 hours in North Bengal, adding that there was simultaneously excessive flow of water into the Sankosh river and river waters from Bhutan and Sikkim.
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“We have been shocked and saddened to know that we have lost some brothers and sisters in the situation evolved by huge rainfall and river floods. I convey my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and shall send all assistance to the families immediately,” she wrote.
The chief minister highlighted that two iron bridges had collapsed, several roads damaged and flooded, and huge tracts of land in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar inundated. There have been reports of worrying damage and losses, particularly in Mirik, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Matigara, and Alipurduar, she added.
“I have been monitoring the situation from last night on round-the-clock basis. I have held virtual meeting with Chief Secretary, DG of Police, the North Bengal DMs and SPs, and the meeting has been attended also by public representatives like Gautam Deb and Anit Thapa. I am in constant touch and am personally going to North Bengal with my Chief Secretary tomorrow in this connection,” Banerjee wrote.
The chief minister advised stranded tourists to stay put wherever they are until they are rescued. “Meanwhile, we are advising the tourists in North Bengal to stay put where they are till our police evacuates them safely,” she wrote.
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“Some places (like Mirik, due to natural position) have been affected severely, while many other places are also under our intensive monitoring. I am personally keeping information, giving instructions, and surveying the situations continually. Our officers and police will [provide] all assistance to all affected persons everywhere,” Banerjee wrote.
Thousands are stranded in Darjeeling, which is a major tourist destination. Considering the festive season rush, the Darjeeling police have issued the following advisory, “Due to heavy rainfall last night, landslides have occurred on some roads in Darjeeling, affecting traffic movement. Our teams are working to clear the roads, and normal traffic is expected to resume shortly. Tourists who are stranded or require assistance may contact the Darjeeling Police Control Room at +91 91478 89078 or may also message through WhatsApp.”
Ravik Bhattacharya is the Chief of Bureau of The Indian Express, Kolkata. Over 20 years of experience in the media industry and covered politics, crime, major incidents and issues, apart from investigative stories in West Bengal, Odisha, Assam and Andaman Nicobar islands. Ravik won the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award in 2007 for political reporting.
Ravik holds a bachelor degree with English Hons from Scottish Church College under Calcutta University and a PG diploma in mass communication from Jadavpur University. Ravik started his career with The Asian Age and then moved to The Statesman, The Telegraph and Hindustan Times. … Read More
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