Mamata to stay in N Bengal to supervise storm relief efforts

Jalpaiguri/Siliguri: As the scale of devastation in Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar from a nor’wester accompanied by a mini-tornado became clear on Monday, CM Mamata Banerjee — who had flown to Jalpaiguri late on Sunday — decided to cancel all her plans and stay in north Bengal for the next two days to supervise relief efforts. PM Narendra Modi spoke to officials, urging them to provide quick assistance. Union home minister Amit Shah got in touch with the CM and assured her of central help. The 5-minute weather event had claimed five lives and left around 300 injured. Banerjee, who was meeting the injured at Jalpaiguri hospital till 2.30am, also flew to Alipurduar to meet those affected by the storm. “People have lost everything and are staying at relief camp in Tapsikhata school. Even though a model code of conduct is in place, this is an emergency and (constitutes an) exceptional case. The administration can take measures for assistance,” the CM said in Alipurduar.“I will urge the administration to conduct an independent survey to track the losses of people. Assess the extent of damages to the houses. People who don’t have a single utensil or clothes left have been helped by the administration since yesterday,” she added.The CM said: “I listened to them (those affected) and saw that the houses of many were completely destroyed. The people were not able to recover anything.”In a statement, PM Narendra Modi said: “My thoughts are with those affected by the storms in Jalpaiguri-Maynaguri areas of West Bengal. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Spoke to officials and asked them to ensure proper assistance to those impacted by the heavy rains. I would also urge all BJP Karyakartas to assist those affected.”Although the administration has set up camps, several of those hit by the storm preferred to stay under tarpaulins on the land where their houses stood till a day ago. Farmlands, where mostly maize and eggplant were grown, were left devastated in Barnesh, Madhabdanga II and Dharmapur.Bithika Roy, a resident of Putimari village in Maynaguri, was desperately seeking relief. She lost her home, her cattle and everything she had gathered over the years to the mini-tornado. Parimal Debnath said: “My house had half walls and half tin sheets. It’s gone.” Durja Mohan Roy’s grocery shop and house were razed. Praying for aid, he said: “Only that can help us rise from the debris. We have been left to live at the mercy of others.”Niranjan Roy said: “All nine cattle that I owned died. My house fell apart. I don’t know when I will be able to build a new one.” “The administration gave us puffed rice on Monday morning. They provided us with shelter at Putimari High School and Barnesh High School,” said Pratima Das.The CM said: “I will urge people not to worry as our administration is here and they will conduct a proper survey immediately to ensure nobody is deprived. Make necessary arrangements as per the needs of the people.” Shah, in a statement, said: “I extend my sincerest condolences to the families of the deceased and pray for the swift recovery of the injured. Also, I appeal to all the Karyakartas of BJP to be with the affected people and provide every possible help to them during this hour of distress.”