West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday expressed serious concern over worsening floods in North Bengal, attributing the Teesta river’s overflow to hydel projects in neighbouring Sikkim. She said continuous rainfall, combined with obstructions from these projects, has aggravated flooding in districts such as Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar.
“The location of Bengal is like a boat. When floods occur in Sikkim or Nepal, the water naturally flows down to us,” Banerjee explained. “The dams and hydel structures in Sikkim are disrupting the river’s natural course, preventing normal water flow and causing it to overflow into our plains.”
The Chief Minister also announced relief measures for residents affected by landslides in the Darjeeling district, triggered by heavy rains on October 4. The landslides, particularly severe in Mirik, have destroyed homes and roads, claiming at least 11 lives with several others reported missing. Families of the deceased will receive financial compensation, and one member from each bereaved family will be offered a government job.