A tragic storm swept through parts of north Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district, claiming the lives of at least five people and injuring around 500 others. The storm, accompanied by severe winds, also caused extensive damage to several houses in the affected areas.
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee swiftly responded to the crisis by cancelling her scheduled programmes and rushing to Jalpaiguri on Sunday night. Upon arrival, she assessed the situation and visited the Jalpaiguri Super Specialty Hospital to meet with those affected by the cyclone.
The storm struck villages across a few square kilometers around 3.30 pm, lasting for approximately 10 minutes. Mamata Banerjee, addressing the media, described the disaster’s impact, which resulted in significant property damage and the loss of five lives, with two others in critical condition.
“The administration is actively providing necessary assistance on the ground. Our government is fully committed to aiding the victims in every possible way,” assured the Chief Minister.
Expressing gratitude for the efforts of the administration in managing the disaster, Mamata Banerjee commended the dedication of doctors, nurses, and hospital staff in responding to the crisis. She reported that rescue operations had concluded, with medical facilities treating a large number of injured individuals.
Among the injured, 170 were admitted to Jalpaiguri Medical College and Hospital, while others received medical attention at Maynaguri hospital and Barnesh health center. Fortunately, neighboring districts like Alipurduar and Cooch Behar were spared casualties despite facing similar storm conditions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also offered condolences and assured assistance to those affected by the storm. The local administration, including district magistrate Shama Parveen and Governor CV Ananda Bose, have been actively engaged in assessing the situation and providing support to the affected communities.
Sources By Agencies