Mamata Visits Landslide-Hit Mirik, Assures Round-the-Clock Relief Operations

PTI, DARJEELING, OCT 14, 2025 : Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday visited the landslide-hit Mirik in Darjeeling district and met with the affected people. A total of 32 people have been killed, including 27 in Mirik and Darjeeling alone, while thousands have been rendered homeless due to floods and landslides in north Bengal earlier this month, following heavy rains.

This was Mamata's second visit to the landslide-affected area. She met with the families of the victims and assured them of all possible assistance from the administration. The Chief Minister, along with senior officials of the state government, reviewed the progress of the relief work.

Mamata said her government has mobilized all resources to ensure comprehensive and round-the-clock relief operations across 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," she said.

"Day before yesterday, I visited Hasimara in Alipurduar, and yesterday, I traveled to Nagrakata, Chalsa, Mal, and Kurseong, meeting affected families, interacting with officials, and overseeing the ongoing restoration work on the ground," she posted on X earlier in the day.

"Today, I shall visit 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," she added.

Earlier in the day, a senior bureaucrat had told news agency PTI that Mamata had skipped her scheduled visit to Mirik and was likely to hold a review meeting with Block Development Officers (BDOs) in Kurseong, both in Darjeeling district. "Initially, the CM was scheduled to visit Mirik on Tuesday, but she will instead hold a review meeting with BDOs at the Jorbanglow BDO office in Kurseong. The meeting will focus on the progress of relief and recovery operations in the affected areas," the senior bureaucrat had said.

During her recent visits, the Chief Minister interacted with residents at relief camps and reviewed the repair work of key infrastructure damaged in the disaster. "During my visit to Nagrakata, I interacted with residents at the relief camps in Bamandanga and Tandoo, ensuring that food, shelter, and medical facilities are being provided without interruption. I also reviewed the repair work of the Tanatani Bridge over the Gathia River, which was severely damaged during the flash floods, and later inspected the Kalikhola Bridge, now restored by the Public Works Department," she said.

At the Bamandanga relief camp, Mamata handed over appointment letters for recruitment as Home Guards to the family members of flood victims, as part of the state's rehabilitation initiative. "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.

The CM also mentioned that her administration has set up special camps to help people recover essential documents lost during the floods, and school students who lost their books are being provided new study materials. "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.

"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," Mamata added.

The Chief Minister on Tuesday also accused the Opposition of politicizing people's suffering. "Some people are doing politics over Dhupguri and Maynaguri. Let me clarify, on the very day I visited the Mirik bridge, I, along with (senior leaders) Aroop Biswas, Gautam Deb, and local MLA Nirmal Ray, visited all three relief camps in Dhupguri. Relief materials were distributed door to door to ensure every affected family received help," Mamata said.

Taking a swipe at the BJP, the Chief Minister alleged that the Centre had no role in the state's disaster management and was instead playing politics. "When people are in trouble, you must stand by them. Don't just sit idly and give long speeches like BJP leaders do. You came once, took photos, and disappeared. What happened after that? We rebuild houses and bridges, clear the landslides, and run relief camps and community kitchens. The Centre has no role here; they only play politics," she said.