North Bengal floods are synthetic, says Mamata as toll rises to twenty-eight

The dying toll within the North Bengal floods has climbed to twenty-eight, with 5 extra deaths being reported on Monday (October 6, 2025) from Nagrakata in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district. Of this quantity, 23 folks have been killed by landslides within the Darjeeling district on October 4 and October 5. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has blamed poor flood administration by the Centre for the devastation.

The Chief Minister introduced a compensation of ₹5 lakh on Monday to the following of kin of the deceased, as her authorities stepped up reduction and rescue work in North Bengal, together with Darjeeling. During the day, Ms. Banerjee and her Chief Secretary, Manoj Pant, travelled to North Bengal and inspected reduction and rescue operations.

Around 500 vacationers who have been stranded within the Darjeeling hills have been rescued by the West Bengal police and have been taken to Siliguri. Tourists stranded within the Dooars have additionally been evacuated by the West Bengal authorities. The Chief Minister has directed that vacationers is not going to must pay for inns and transport, and all bills will likely be borne by the West Bengal authorities.

Of the 23 deaths in Darjeeling, 11 folks died within the Mirik subdivision and 12 deaths have been reported from the Darjeeling Subdivision. Survivors from Mirik described how slush from landslides destroyed properties early on Sunday (October 5). The picturesque blue Mirik Lake that could be a huge vacationer draw, has turned darkish with slush. The space stays reduce off, and bridges and roads have been badly broken. Thousands of individuals have been affected by the landslides and flooding in Darjeeling and different districts of north Bengal, together with Jalpaiguri, Aliourduar, and Cooch Behar.

Centre guilty

The Chief Minister pointed the finger of blame on the Centre and stated that water from neighbouring states is inflicting flooding in West Bengal. She stated the floods in North Bengal have been “synthetic.” “North Bengal has been flooded with water from Bhutan and Sikkim. There was 300 mm of rain for 12 hours. Where will all this water go? We tolerate water from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand. How way more will we do?” Ms. Banerjee informed media individuals.

The Chief Minister added that water from Bhutan gushed in by means of the Sankosh River and water from the Teesta got here down from Sikkim, flooding a number of areas of North Bengal. Ms. Banerjee as soon as once more blamed the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) and stated that its reservoirs are releasing water at will, and stated that flood administration is nonexistent, and the Union authorities has not dredged the river Ganga both.

She requested what use dams have been if water is launched with out holding. “Why do it is advisable to have the dams? … All states might then have shared the affect equally. But it’s Bengal that’s on the receiving finish,” she stated. She emphasised the necessity for an Indo-Bhutan River Commission and stated that until such an association is made, North Bengal will endure.

Temporary bridge

The Chief Minister will journey to Mirik on Tuesday (October 7). She has promised {that a} non permanent bridge over the Balasan River will likely be constructed within the subsequent twenty days. The Dudiya iron bridge over the Balasan collapsed after heavy rainfall on Sunday.

Meanwhile, a delegation of BJP leaders was attacked by locals after they have been visiting Nagrakata in North Bengal. BJP MP Khagen Murmu suffered critical accidents to his head and face and needed to be hospitalised. Siliguri MLA and celebration chief whip within the West Bengal meeting, Sankar Ghosh, was additionally attacked. While the BJP management each in Kolkata and Delhi condemned the assault, Ms. Banerjee urged restraint.

‘’Help the folks round you. No untoward incident is fascinating right now. We will stand by one another and face this disaster collectively,” she stated.