At Least 5 Dead, Over 300 Injured In Jalpaiguri Storm, NDRF At Work; BJP's Amit Malviya Attacks Mamata

At least five persons died and over 300 were injured in a sudden storm that hit the Jalpaiguri district in northern West Bengal on Sunday. The calamity wreaked havoc on various houses and establishments as well.

Of the 42 persons admitted to the hospital, it has been learnt that two are in a critical condition.

Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose on Monday visited the storm-hit region and said that he “came by himself to assess the situation and meet the affected people”. “I contacted the National Disaster Management Authority and other agencies involved in relief measures. I am in touch with Delhi regarding this issue,” he added.

Earlier in the day, Bose had told the media that he held an extensive discussion with the National Resources Management Authority members and the secretary, adding that supply of reinforcement and materials (if needed) have been requested of them.

“…As we know the chief minister has also reached there. I will be there. I will visit the field, interact with the officials concerned and understand the losses faced by the people,” he said.

He reiterated that everything possible will be done for the people. “The nation is ready, Bengal is ready,” he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took stock of the situation and spoke to higher officials to inquire about those affected. In a post on X, the prime minister said, “My thoughts are with those affected by the storms in Jalpaiguri-Mainaguri areas of West Bengal. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones.”

“Spoke to officials and asked them to ensure proper assistance to those impacted by the heavy rains. I would also urge all @BJP4Bengal Karyakartas to assist those affected,” he added.

Meanwhile, Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee late on Sunday reached Jalpaiguri and went to the district’s super speciality hospital to meet the injured persons. She later also met with the families of those who lost their loved ones.

Banerjee said, “The administration shall stand by the needy people. We are aware of the damage that has happened. The biggest damage that has happened is the loss of lives.”

She took to X and said, “Sad to know that sudden heavy rainfall and stormy winds brought disasters today afternoon in some Jalpaiguri-Mainaguri areas, with loss of human lives, injuries, house damages, uprooting of trees and electricity poles etc.”

“District and block administration, police, DMG and QRT teams swung into disaster management operations and provide relief. Affected people are being shifted to safer places,” the chief minister informed.

She further noted that the next of kins of the deceased and the injured persons will be provided “compensation” as per rules and “following the Model Code of Conduct.”

The National Disaster Response Force team reached the spot and began working on the war footing to provide assistance to those hit by the storm. The governor also initiated a Special Control Room to deal with the situation.

Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee will also visit the storm-hit district on Monday.

POLITICS OVER JALPAIGURI STORM SITUATION

Amid all these happenings, political chaos also erupted over the situation caused by the storm in Jalpaiguri.

BJP’s IT cell head Amit Malviya, soon after Bengal CM’s post on X, took a swipe at her and accused her of “washing her hands off of North Bengal at a time of crisis”.

Malviya took to X and said, “MCC is not the reason. Her discriminatory approach towards people of North Bengal is all too well know.”

He compared the situation to the building collapse in Hazari Mollah Bagan in southern Kolkata’s Garden Reach area where she reached early in the morning. Despite MCC being in place, she not only rushed to the site but also announced compensation,” he said.

“Shame on her appeasement politics, which sees people in crisis also through the lens of their faith,” Malviya wrote in his X post.

Later, CM Mamata Banerjee took a decision to visit the northern Bengal district late night.

Malviya then again took a jibe at the Bengal chief minister and said that she rushed to Jalpaiguri “only after @BJP4Bengal pointed out how partisan she has been towards North Bengal, BJP’s Alipurduar MLA Manoj Tigga and Jalpaiguri MP Dr Jayanta Roy have been on the spot, along with their teams, for hours now, meeting the victims and ensuring adequate medical attention.”

“Prime Minister Modi also took stock,” he said, adding that, “What is the point of Mamata Banerjee going now, when it is obvious that her concern for people of North Bengal is fake?”

BJP’s Bengal unit candidates and workers had also reached the spot and met the victims at the hospital.