Kolkata, 5 October (IANS). BJP MP from Darjeeling in West Bengal, Raju Bisht, on Sunday, wrote a letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appealing to declare the ongoing crisis in the hill, Terai and Duars areas as ‘state level disaster’.
Life is completely disturbed due to continuous torrential rains and landslides in the area.
The BJP MP wrote in his letter that heavy rains on the night of October 4 and 5 have caused heavy havoc in the Darjeeling hills, Terai and Duars areas. He claimed that there was heavy loss of life and property in this disaster. Important infrastructure such as many roads and bridges has damaged, while farmers’ crops and houses have been destroyed. ”
Bisht urged the Chief Minister that the state government should give complete information about the loss to the Center so that additional resources can be provided for relief and rehabilitation. He also alleged that the Teesta flood of 2023 was not declared as ‘disaster’ by the state government, due to which the victims could not get proper compensation and assistance.
The MP requested the Chief Minister not to create such a situation this time and immediate financial assistance and rehabilitation should be provided to all the affected families.
He said, “I hope that the Chief Minister will give all possible relief to the victims and in association with the central government will accelerate the reconstruction of the damaged infrastructure.”
According to the latest reports, at least 20 people have died in the incidents of heavy rains and landslides so far, while many others are injured. NDRF and district administration teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations.
According to reports from NDRF and district administration, many places have been reported to have died from Sarsali, Jasbirgaon, Mirik Basti, Dhar village (Mechi), Nagrakata and Mirik Lake areas.
North Bengal Development Minister Udayan Guha said that loss of life is unfortunate and there is a possibility of an increase in the number of dead. He said, “So far the death toll is 20, but it can also increase.”
-IANS
ASH/DKP