WB CM monitors relief work in the Hills for the second successive day

WB CM monitors relief work in the Hills for the second successive day

Posted on July 3, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee monitored the situation of the Hills for the second successive day.

At Sukna, Darjeeling, the Chief Minister said that the District Magistrate is monitoring the workings of the relief camps. Three community kitchens have been set up for the hundreds of affected people yesterday.

The Chief Minister said that she took the landslide affected routes to witness the extent of damage first hand. She said that she had instructed for the roads to be rebuilt. She said that she had also requested the GTA so that they restore the water connectivity in Kalimpong at the earliest possible time.

The Chief Minister said that key necessities of the Hills like water supply, power supply, bridges are being tried to be restored at the earliest.

Earlier today, the West Bengal Chief Minister said on Twitter:

Dead bodies found in Darjeeling Hills: Earlier 29, yesterday 1, today 2 from Mechi River. Total 32. Life is too precious

Each and every new construction should be monitored in the Hills: WB CM

Posted on July 3, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee on Thursday warned the authorities of the Darjeeling hills not to allow rampant construction that was clearly behind the landslides and the death of so many people, standing at the Ground Zero of the landslide disaster zone.

On Thursday, the CM reached Tingling tea estate near Mirik, traveling for more than four and-a-half hours from Siliguri. It was here that at least 19 people were buried by the landslips. On Thursday, the death toll rose to 29 with 10 more still missing.

“I travelled more than six hours to reach Mirik from Siliguri because of landslides on the way. On my way, I stopped at relief camps. We are with our brothers and sisters,” she said on social media.

The Chief Minister also sounded a note of caution. She said, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) would soon be asked to study the fragile hills and come up with suggestions. “Houses and tall buildings should not come up in an unscientific manner,” she said, adding, “I have asked authorities of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration to monitor each and every new construction.”

The Chief Minister said that Darjeeling’s quaint wooden bungalows have given way to concrete high-rises and the results are there for all to see. The September 2011 earthquake in Sikkim and April 25, 20015, quake in Nepal that killed thousands should be an eye-opener, she said.

The Government will take immediate steps to redress the situation, WB CM said. “The State authorities would write to the Centre to send a GSI survey team to Darjeeling,” she said, demanding that the central government should generously contribute towards rebuilding roads and homes.

On Thursday, the chief minister called for strict monitoring of all construction activities and said all building rules should be strictly followed.

The West Bengal Chief Minister also visited landslide affected areas of Mirik on Thursday. After halting for an hour she departed for Sukna at 4 pm where she will be spending the night. She will be returning to Kolkata on Friday.

WB CM takes stock of relief operations in landslide affected locations of the Hills

Posted on July 2, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee visited the relief camps in the landslide affected locations of the Darjeeling district.

She handed over cheques of Rs 4 lakh to the families of the victims.

It took six hours for the Chief Minister to reach the locations, which usually takes an hour, as the roads were in extreme bad condition after the rain and landslide.

The State Government has also set up three community kitchens for the landslide affected villagers.

She visited the relief camp in Sukhiapokhri and took stock of the relief operations.

The Chief Minister said that the State has written to the Centre so that the Geological Survey of India (GSI) performs a special survey of Mirik.

The West Bengal Chief Minister said on Twitter:

It has been a long road journey. Now am minutes away from the most affected location of the landslide.

Earlier handed over cheques of Rs 4 lakh each to families of some victims. Life is too precious.

After visiting the affected areas the West Bengal Chief said on Twitter:

Visited the spot where landslide was worst. Met families of victims and those affected in the area. Handed over more cheques to families.

Distributed relief and visited community centres where affected families are. The 3 community kitchens are open .

Met more people affected there. The Chief Sec, Home Sec, DG Police also visited.

Mamata Banerjee’s latest statement from north Bengal Hills

Posted on July 2, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee had reached North Bengal yesterday night to monitor the rescue operations after the devastation caused by landslides killing 30 people. Today morning, the Chief Minister visited the affected areas.

She has been posting on social media with updates of the situation in north Bengal.

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee’s latest statement from north Bengal Hills:

I started early this morning by road to reach the spot which was affected most by landslide.

A road journey of normally 1 hour is taking 6 hours because of rubble caused by landslide.

3 villages have been particularly affected. Community kitchens have been set up for hundreds of people.

WB CM announces compensation for the people affected by landslide in Darjeeling

Posted on July 1, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee announced compensation of Rs Rs 4 lakhs to be given to the family of those deceased due to the landslide disaster in the Hills. A compensation of Rs 1.25 lakh will also be given to those who are injured due to the landslide, she announced before leaving for north Bengal.

The West Bengal Chief Minister cut short her programmes in the district of Murshidabad and will visit to north Bengal after rain and landslides in Mirik and Kalimpong areas in the Darjeeling district killed around than 30 people.

She has also cancelled her programme in the Birbhum district, which was scheduled for tomorrow. She will reach north Bengal today evening and will visit Mirik tomorrow.

Under the instructions of the Chief Minister, the State Home Secretary is already in north Bengal and at the locations.

The Chief Minister has urged the tourists in the Hills not to panic and has informed that the State Government will take measures to bring them down to the plains.

The West Bengal Chief Minister said that she was monitoring the situation and will rush to north Bengal after her scheduled programmes in Murshidabad.

The people have been killed in landslides triggered by heavy rains in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong sub-divisions of Darjeeling district since last night. The landslides have caused extensive damage to NH 10 (old NH 55A) and NH 55, cutting off road and telecommunication link to Darjeeling and Sikkim.

The State Irrigation & Waterways Dept has opened control room for north and south Bengal to tackle possible flood situations.

Control Room no for north Bengal: 18003450117

Control Room no for south Bengal: 18003453255

The West Bengal Chief Minister on Facebook said:

” The unfortunate landslides due to heavy rains in Darjeeling Hills have caused havoc.

As reported till now, 30 precious lives have been lost and 8 persons are missing. I have been monitoring the situation very closely since this morning and providing all necessary assistance from the administration to the affected areas.

After cancelling tomorrow’s administrative meeting at Birbhum, I am now on my way from Murshidabad to Darjeeling, so that I can be amidst the affected people at their hour of grief.

We have announced rupees 4 lakh compensation for each of the families of those who have passed away. Administration is working round the clock to complete all procedures to hand over bodies of the victims to their families for their last rites, for which assistance is being provided by the local administration.

Also at the plains, vast areas in Jalpaiguri District have been inundated due to sudden rise in water level in all major rivers and many people got affected. More than two thousand people have been rescued to safe place.”

WB CM to visit north Bengal, to monitor landslide situation in the Hills

Posted on July 1, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee has cut short her programmes in the district of Murshidabad and will rush to north Bengal after rain and landslides in Mirik and Kalimpong areas in the Darjeeling district killed more than 10 people.

Under the instructions of the Chief Minister, the State Home Secretary is already in north Bengal and at the locations.

The Chief Minister has urged the tourists in the Hills not to panic and has informed that the State Government will take measures to bring them down to the plains.

The West Bengal Chief Minister said that she was monitoring the situation and will rush to north Bengal after her scheduled programmes in Murshidabad.

The people have been killed in landslides triggered by heavy rains in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong sub-divisions of Darjeeling district since last night.

The landslides have caused extensive damage to NH 10 (old NH 55A) and NH 55, cutting off road and telecommunication link to Darjeeling and Sikkim.

The West Bengal Chief Minister on Twitter said:

“Anguished about loss of lives in Mirik/Kalimpong landslides. Home Secretary already in N Bengal

I am monitoring situation closely and will rush there after meet in Murshidabad “