Darjeeling MP urges CM Mamata to delcare North Bengal flood as 'state disaster'

Darjeeling's BJP MP Raju Bista has officially written to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, urgently requesting that the devastating crisis in North Bengal, caused by continuous heavy rainfall and landslides, be immediately declared a 'State Disaster.' This plea comes as the death toll in the region, particularly in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Mirik, continues to rise, with local reports suggesting the number may have reached 27. The lower districts of North Bengal, including Jalpaiguri and Coochbehar, have also been severely affected by flooding.

In his letter, the BJP MP highlights the catastrophic damage inflicted on the region over the last two days of relentless rain. Bista, acting as the representative for the hill people, articulated his primary request: "Please declare the landslides caused by the rain in Darjeeling, Terai, and Dooars regions a state-level disaster."

The most critical part of Bista's appeal is the necessity of involving the Central government for aid. He strongly urged the Chief Minister to formally communicate the full extent of the damage—including the count of casualties, the loss of agricultural land, and the destruction of roads—to the Centre. This official report, Bista insists, is crucial for mobilizing additional financial and physical assistance from the Union government.

Bista's decision to press for the 'State Disaster' declaration stems from a precedent set during the 2023 Teesta river floods. He pointed out that the previous failure by the state to declare that incident a disaster resulted in the affected victims receiving virtually no compensation. Bista expressed his hope that the Chief Minister would stand by the current victims and ensure they receive not only state-level assistance but also the opportunity for Central compensation.

The natural calamity has rendered the districts bordering the hills severely distressed since Saturday night. Besides the massive landslides that have choked connectivity, wide-scale inundation has been reported in areas surrounding Jalpaiguri and Coochbehar. The sheer magnitude of the destruction has severely disrupted the normal lives of the hill populace.