2 kids die as mud wall collapses in Jalpaiguri amid heavy rains

In a tragic incident resulting from the incessant heavy rainfall in North Bengal, two young siblings were killed when a mud wall collapsed on their house in the Sahudangi's Paghalupara area of Rajganj Block, Jalpaiguri district. The devastating event occurred late Tuesday night while the children were asleep.

The deceased have been identified as Madhumita Modak, aged 3, and her brother Dewayan Modak, just one and a half years old. The two children were sleeping with their parents in their tin-roofed mud house when the wall of a neighboring house suddenly collapsed onto their dwelling. The force of the collapse caused significant damage and trapped the children under the debris.

The heavy downpour and the darkness of the night created challenging conditions for residents who rushed to the scene to help. They managed to clear the rubble and rescue the children, but by the time they were pulled out, both had already succumbed to their injuries. The community is in shock and mourning the loss of the two young lives.

Jalpaiguri district has been experiencing continuous heavy rainfall for several days. The persistent rains had saturated the ground, significantly weakening the mud structures in the area. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had previously issued a red alert for the region, warning of the potential dangers posed by the extreme weather.

The heavy rain continued throughout Tuesday, further compromising the stability of old mud houses and other structures. The tragic wall collapse is a direct consequence of these adverse weather conditions and the heightened vulnerability of the local infrastructure. This incident highlights the significant risks faced by residents living in such houses during the monsoon season.