Mamata Visits Landslide-Hit Mirik, Says Govt Ensuring 'Round-the-Clock Relief Ops'

Agencies | 14 Oct 2025 | Darjeeling (WB): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the landslide-hit area of Mirik in Darjeeling district on Tuesday and met with the affected families. The devastating floods and landslides in north Bengal earlier this month, triggered by heavy rainfall, have resulted in the tragic loss of 32 lives, including 27 in Mirik and Darjeeling alone. Thousands have been rendered homeless. This marked Banerjee's second visit to the affected region.

During her visit, Banerjee met with the grieving families and reassured them of the government's unwavering support. She also reviewed the ongoing relief work in the area, alongside senior state officials.

Banerjee assured the public that her government had mobilized all resources to ensure comprehensive and round-the-clock relief operations across the flood- and landslide-affected areas of north Bengal. "Over the past few days, I have been personally monitoring and reviewing the relief and rehabilitation efforts underway across the flood and landslide-affected areas of north Bengal following the extreme rainfall earlier this month," Banerjee stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

She continued, "Day before yesterday, I visited Hasimara in Alipurduar, and yesterday, I travelled to Nagrakata, Chalsa, Mal, and Kurseong, meeting affected families, interacting with officials, and overseeing the ongoing restoration work on the ground."

Further, she added, “Today, I am visiting Mirik to personally assess the situation in the landslide-affected areas and ensure that every affected person receives the support they need. Tomorrow, I will convene an administrative meeting for Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Mirik."

Earlier in the day, a senior bureaucrat had informed PTI that Banerjee had altered her schedule, initially planning to visit Mirik, but opted to hold a review meeting with Block Development Officers (BDOs) at the Jorbanglow BDO office in Kurseong. The meeting focused on evaluating the progress of relief and recovery operations in the affected areas.

During her earlier visits, Banerjee interacted with residents at relief camps and also took stock of key infrastructure repairs. "During my visit to Nagrakata, I interacted with the residents at the relief camps in Bamandanga and Tandoo, ensuring that food, shelter, and medical facilities are being provided without interruption," she said. Additionally, Banerjee reviewed the repair work of the Tanatani Bridge over the Gathia River, severely damaged during the flash floods, and inspected the restoration of the Kalikhola Bridge, which had been rehabilitated by the Public Works Department.

At the Bamandanga relief camp, Banerjee distributed appointment letters for recruitment as Home Guards to the family members of flood victims as part of the state's rehabilitation initiatives. "Ten beneficiaries, including eight from Jalpaiguri and two from Cooch Behar, received their letters today. I have also announced that every family whose house has been damaged in the calamity will receive financial assistance of Rs 1.2 lakh each for reconstruction under our state scheme," she said.

Banerjee also stated that special camps had been set up to assist people in recovering essential documents lost during the floods. Additionally, school students who lost their study materials in the disaster are being provided new books. "Special camps have been set up to help citizens recover essential documents lost in the floods, while students who lost their books are being provided new study materials," she posted on X.

While acknowledging the inevitability of natural calamities, Banerjee emphasized that the state's response would be defined by compassion, preparedness, and collective resolve. "Natural calamities are beyond our control, but our compassion, preparedness, and collective resolve define our response. The courage, grit, and perseverance of the people of north Bengal continue to inspire me. Our state government will remain by your side, every hour, every day, until normalcy is fully restored," she concluded.