West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday, October 6 called the Darjeeling floods “man-made”. The CM is going to North Bengal to assess the situation. Before leaving, she announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to families of the deceased from Kolkata airport. She also said that one member from the families of the deceased will be given a home guard job by the state. She also accused the Centre of “deliberately creating the disaster.”

The CM criticised the Centre for the water crisis while talking to the media outside Kolkata airport. She said, “How much water will we handle? Water is coming from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh. Ganga is full. DVC is releasing water as and when it wishes. We are constantly suffering from floods due to Maithon, DVC, Panchet. What was the situation in Kolkata recently? Meanwhile, the water from Bhutan and Sikkim has led to a terrible condition in Nagrakata and Dhupguri. So many lives have been lost in the man-made floods.”

North Bengal landslides and flash floods

Following the recent torrential rainfall in October 2025, North Bengal experienced severe flash floods and landslides, resulting in significant loss of life, destroyed infrastructure, and stranded tourists.

Heavy, prolonged overnight rain triggered flash floods and multiple landslides across the districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, and Alipurduar. At least 24 people were reported killed, with dozens missing. The hill station of Mirik was particularly hard-hit, accounting for most of the fatalities.

Thousands of people across the region have been affected. Key road networks, including National Highway 10 connecting Sikkim and Kalimpong, were blocked by debris, and major bridges like the Dudhia Iron Bridge collapsed. This has isolated towns and left tourists stranded. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Army, and state agencies launched rescue and relief operations to evacuate stranded individuals and reach affected areas.

In Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri, a vigorous southwest monsoon joined forces with a cyclonic air circulation to unleash extremely heavy rainfall since Saturday night, triggering widespread landslides and flash floods. Some areas, such as Kurti in Jalpaiguri, recorded more than 370mm rainfall. Seething rivers flooded towns, villages, tea gardens and reserve forests, and swept away houses, bridges and roads

State to pay hotel bills for stranded tourists

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will visit Hasimara and Nagrakata in North Bengal on Monday. Talking to the media at Kolkata airport on Monday, the Chief Minister announced financial assistance to the families of those died in the disaster.

She said, “There can be no compensation for death. However, the remaining family members have to survive, so Rs 5 lakhs per family will be given by the state. One person from the family will be given a Home Guard’s job.”

Many tourists are stranded in North Bengal due to the disaster. In this context, the Chief Minister said that all hotels have been instructed not to take any money from stranded tourists. The government will bear the entire cost. Mamata also said that the stranded tourists will be returned home on the state’s initiative.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share