Bengal floods 'man-made': Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who on Monday visited the relief camps in North Bengal which has been affected by rain fury, once again raised the need for an Indo-Bhutan River Commission, calling the floods "man-made". Many people are still missing and the death toll, which stands at 23 now, is likely to rise. "For the families of those deceased, around 23 families in total, (18 from Darjeeling and 5 from Jalpaiguri will get compensation), we are providing Rs 5 lakh each. In Jalpaiguri's Nagrakata, five people have died. One person from each of those families will be given a special home guard job," Banerjee said.

Indo-Bhutan Commission
"I had sent a letter to the PM stating the need of an Indo-Bhutan River Commission. Otherwise, North Bengal will continue to face the consequences. I have not received any response. Bhutan has 56 rivers, and they have constructed 40 hydropower plants in Sikkim. So, all that water comes here. So, I requested that they form an Indo-Bhutan Commission," Banerjee said. She claimed that the Centre does not give Bengal any money for flood management. She blamed the rainfall in Bihar and UP and the water flowing through the Farakka Barrage into the Ganga.

Banerjee will be staying in North Bengal for two days to oversee the rescue work. Darjeeling district's Mirik, a popular tourist spot, was the worst hit. Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri Alipurduar and Coochbehar districts were all affected by the rain fury. Banerjee has urged people in the camps to stay calm and not fall for any provocations.

Teesta and Balason rivers are flowing above the danger levels and Jaldapara National Park is under water. After the iron bridge collapsed in Mirik's Dudhiya, people have been shifted to shelters. Incessant rains have washed away bridges, roads and several home stays. Heavy downpour in North Bengal have triggered landslides, with several roads caving in.