A devastating storm wreaked havoc in Jalpaiguri district and parts of neighbouring Cooch Behar and Alipurduar districts, causing extensive damage to property and crops.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said that nearly 5,000 houses were destroyed and vast swathes of farmland were adversely affected by the powerful storm that struck the region on Sunday.
During her visit to the Mercy Fellowship Church in Jalpaiguri, Banerjee assured the affected residents that the administration is closely monitoring the situation and has devised a comprehensive relief plan to address their needs.
She emphasized that the destruction was widespread in Jalpaiguri, with houses either completely demolished, partially damaged, or sustaining minor damages.
Banerjee further revealed that the storm resulted in casualties, leaving at least five people dead and more than 100 injured. Additionally, nearly 200 people were rendered homeless as the fierce winds, accompanied by hail, wreaked havoc on infrastructure, uprooting trees and destroying electric poles.
Expressing her concern over the plight of tea garden workers in North Bengal, Banerjee criticized the Centre for exacerbating their hardships by halting the purchase of tea leaves, citing pesticide concerns.
She condemned the BJP government’s decision to cease jute procurement from Bengal, stressing the importance of supporting the jute industry, which plays a pivotal role in the state’s economy.
The aftermath of the Jalpaiguri storm has sparked a political showdown, with the BJP accusing TMC leaders of exploiting relief materials for personal gain. BJP leaders alleged that TMC members stand to profit from the distribution of aid, drawing parallels with past incidents where relief funds were allegedly misappropriated.
In response, TMC representatives denounced the BJP’s accusations as vulture politics, accusing the opposition party of capitalizing on the tragedy in Jalpaiguri for political gain.
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