Following days of incessant rainfall and devastating landslides in North Bengal, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced compensation for the families of those who lost their lives. The Chief Minister, before departing for North Bengal to assess the damage, stated that a one-time compensation of ₹5,00,000 would be provided to each of the victims' families. Additionally, the state government will offer a job as a home guard in the state police to one member from each affected family.
The regions of North Bengal, including the hills, Terai, and Dooars, have been severely impacted by the heavy rainfall and subsequent landslides. Darjeeling district's Mirik was particularly hard-hit, with numerous bodies recovered from the area. Other affected districts include Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar. As of Monday morning, official reports indicate at least 23 fatalities. However, with rescue operations ongoing, there are fears the death toll may rise.
Banerjee emphasized the state government's commitment to supporting the affected families, stating that the compensation and job opportunities are part of its social responsibility. She acknowledged that financial assistance cannot replace human lives but aims to provide a means for the victims' families to sustain themselves in the future.
The Chief Minister has attributed the crisis in North Bengal to the release of water from neighboring Bhutan, labeling the flood situation a "man-made" disaster. She claimed that while the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) was responsible for the flood situation in South Bengal, similar actions in Bhutan exacerbated the crisis in North Bengal. Specifically, Banerjee alleged that the DVC released water from the Maithan and Panchet reservoirs without proper coordination, worsening the situation in areas already struggling with record rainfall. She also criticized the DVC for the lack of desiltation in the reservoirs, which has reduced their water retention capacity.
The Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, has criticized the Chief Minister's blame-shifting, accusing her of deflecting responsibility for the disaster.
The severe weather conditions have caused extensive damage to infrastructure, including highways and bridges. The Hollong Bridge in Darjeeling was completely washed away, leaving tourists stranded. The state government has arranged 45 buses to transport stranded tourists back from the affected districts and has instructed hotels not to charge or force them to vacate. Around 500 tourists have already been rescued, with many accommodated in Siliguri.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts a significant drop in minimum temperatures across Northwest India starting October 8.
