• By Vivek Raj
  • Mon, 01 Apr 2024 08:13 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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A severe storm wreaked havoc in north Bengal's Jalpaiguri district on Sunday afternoon, claiming the lives of at least five people, including a woman and left around 500 injured. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee cancelled her scheduled programs and arrived in Jalpaiguri to assess the situation and visited the Jalpaiguri Super Specialty Hospital to meet the cyclone-affected individuals.

The cyclonic storm struck villages spanning several square kilometers around 3:30 pm, lasting approximately 10 minutes, causing extensive damage to homes and infrastructure.

Mamata Banerjee, addressing the media, confirmed the fatalities and expressed condolences to the families of the deceased. She assured that the administration was providing necessary assistance to the affected individuals. 

“We are aware of the damage that has happened. The biggest damage that has happened is the loss of lives. I thank the administration for their disaster management efforts. The doctors, nurses and hospital workers are working well to manage the situation. The rescue operations are already over,” Banerjee said.

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Jalpaiguri Super Specialty Hospital received a huge influx of injured individuals, with around 170 admitted to Jalpaiguri Medical College and Hospital, 200 rushed to Maynaguri Hospital, and approximately 100 being treated at Barnesh Health Center.

Adjacent areas of Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts also experienced storms, but no casualties were reported from those areas.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences for the lives lost in the storm and instructed officials to ensure proper assistance to those affected. He urged BJP workers to provide assistance to the affected individuals.

The storm caused widespread destruction, with reports of damaged homes, uprooted trees, and fallen electric poles. Earlier reports from Jalpaiguri District Magistrate Shama Parveen confirmed four fatalities, identifying the deceased as Dwijendra Narayan Sarkar (52), Anima Roy (49), Jogen Roy (70), and Samar Roy (64).

Mamata Banerjee also announced that the administration in accordance with MCC rules will provide compensation to the next of kin in the case of deaths, and injuries.

"Affected people are being shifted to safer places. The district administration will provide compensation to the next of kin in the case of the deaths, and the injured as per the rules and following the MCC," she said, as reported by news agency ANI.

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Governor CV Ananda Bose will visit the affected areas in Jalpaiguri on Monday to assess the extent of the damage and provide support to those in need.

"I will visit the field, interact with the officials concerned and understand the losses faced by the people. Then we will take whatever decision is required. We will bring them litigation and relief. This is a very unfortunate incident," Governor said.