Govt will rebuild all bridges, houses in flood affected north Bengal: CM Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who visited several flood affected areas in North Bengal on Tuesday (October 7, 2025) assured the people that the Government will repair all bridges and houses that were damaged by the floods and rainfall.

A bridge at Dudhia was washed away in the rains and the Chief Minister who visited the area with the State Chief Secretary Manoj Pant said that a temporary bridge will be built in 15 days.

“Community kitchens will continue to operate until people are able to return to their homes. Many have lost essential documents and identity proofs such as Aadhaar, PAN, and ration cards. Special camps must be organised for their reissue, and these services should continue for at least the next month to ensure that people can focus on recovery without additional worries.” Ms. Banerjee said directing government officials.

Ms. Banerjee assured the people that once the waters recede, a thorough survey will be conducted to assess the extent of the damage, and affected families will be appropriately compensated.

Later while addressing a press conference at Uttar Kanya, the State government secretariat in North Bengal the Chief Minister said 27 deaths have been reported due to the landslide and floods which were triggered by excessive rains. “Of the deceased five-six are children. 18 people have died in Mirik-Kalimpong. The bodies of five more people have been found in Nagrakata. The bodies of two citizens of Nepal and Bhutan have also been found. All the bodies have not been identified yet,” she said.

The Chief Minister said that she will return to Kolkata on Wednesday (October 8) but will soon return to north Bengal to oversee relief and rescue operations. Ms. Banerjee added that the natural disaster has led to damage to electricity poles and crops in the Dooars region of north Bengal. She directed the State’s Panchayat Minister Pradip Majumdar to survey districts in north Bengal so that farmers can be compensated for crop insurance.

The Chief Minister said that the districts of north Bengal received about 300 mm of rainfall in 12 hours and the situation was exacerbated by release of water from Bhutan and Sikkim. Ms. Banerjee claimed that there are 14 hydel power projects over river Teesta which flows from Sikkim to West Bengal and the river dries up in summer and overflows after rains.. She also added that administration has issued alerts before the rainfall which has resulted in lesser number of casualties, but lamented that people do not want to leave their homes even amidst danger of natural calamities.

Defends presence at Durga Puja Carnival

On Tuesday, the Chief Minister also defended her decision to participate in Durga Puja carnival in Kolkata on Sunday (October 5) when North Bengal was reeling with floods. She said that the Durga Puja Carnival is the pride of West Bengal and it could not have been cancelled.

“If I had gone that day, what could I have done? The administration needs time to begin work after such a disaster. The carnival is not a party function; it’s an event that represents West Bengal’s culture and unity. Foreign dignitaries and guests were present at the event,” Ms . Banerjee. The political parties in the Opposition including the BJP had criticised the Chief Minister participating in the carnival on October 5 when north Bengal was reeling under floods.

Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari also visited flood affected areas of Mirik and Jalpaiguri and met with people affected by the natural calamity on Tuesday (October 7).

Almost 72 hours after the region received heavy rainfall, the spectre of destruction was visible on Tuesday (October 7) with kilometres of roads and hundreds of houses being destroyed across the region. Not only Darjeeling and Kalimpong but Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar have been affected by the deluge. The district administration of the five districts has been directed to step up relief and rescue operations.

In some parts of the region bordering the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries wild animals like rhinos have entered human habitation because of floods. In the Mathabhanga area, a farmer was killed in an attack by a wild boar.