Flash floods in West Bengal, triggered by a cloudburst in Sikkim, have caused the Teesta River to overflow, resulting in significant damage to the region. Videos and images shared by news agency ANI show the Teesta River overflowing its banks, leading to damage to vehicles and residential structures in Kalimpong, a town located near the Sikkim border.
Some video clips depict houses and vehicles submerged under sludge as the swollen river brought devastation to the Teesta Bazaar region of Kalimpong.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her deep concern over the flood-like situation that has unfolded in the state. She reported that approximately 10,000 people have been successfully rescued and are currently being accommodated in 190 relief camps established across nine districts in both the southern and northern parts of the state. Despite her ongoing leg injury, Chief Minister Banerjee has taken on the responsibility of personally monitoring the situation round the clock from her home. In light of the crisis, leaves for several state government officials have been canceled to ensure a coordinated and effective response to manage the flood situation.
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose conducted a visit to the flood-affected districts in the northern part of the state to assess the situation on the ground.
The northern part of West Bengal shares a border with Sikkim, the epicenter of the flash flood disaster in the Teesta River. This catastrophic event has resulted in at least 40 casualties, numerous injuries, and an alarming count of approximately 110 individuals still reported as missing.
Chief Minister Banerjee convened a meeting to evaluate the evolving situation and directed Chief Secretary HK Dwivedi and Home Secretary BP Gopalika to promptly assemble a team of senior officials to be dispatched to the flood-affected areas of West Bengal. She underscored that 10,000 people residing in low-lying areas of the affected districts have already been rescued. Additionally, both the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been alerted and are actively engaged in relief and rescue operations. Banerjee has pledged her continuous vigilance over the situation, promising to monitor it 24/7 from her home, even as she recovers from her leg injury, which may necessitate another week of healing.
The flash floods in West Bengal serve as a stark reminder of the unpredictable and devastating impact of natural disasters and the importance of swift and coordinated response efforts to mitigate their effects and provide assistance to affected communities.