Women District Magistrates lead relief, rescue operations in flood battered North Bengal

A week after the devastating floods in North Bengal, which left thousands stranded and over 30 dead, teams of district officials led by women District Magistrates (DMs) have ensured that relief and rescue operations reached the last affected person affected.

The district administrations of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri — the two areas severely affected by the floods — are led by women District Magistrates.

In Darjeeling, the district that witnessed maximum casualties, DM Preeti Goyal ensured that the district officials reach every affected person. “We have reached out to all the families affected by the floods. We have 17 relief centres and 30 gruel kitchens. On day one, when the tragedy occurred, our teams had to trek 12 km to reach the affected areas. Since then our team members have walked 6 kms on foot everyday to reach out to every family affected by the calamity,” Ms. Goyal said.

A view of a damaged house after the landslide at Mirik, in Darjeeling on October 7, 2025. (Videograb)
| Photo Credit:
ANI

In the adjoining Jalpaiguri district, located in the foothills of eastern Himalayas, the challenges are different as several tea plantations have been damaged by the floods. Over the past several days, Jalpaiguri DM Shama Parveen has been visiting remote tea garden areas and outposts in Nagrakata, Dhupguri, and Maynaguri. Ms. Parveen has been meeting residents, listening to their concerns, and ensuring immediate assistance. The DM was also seen checking the quality of food being provided at the gruel kitchens.

“More than 3,000 people have been rescued to safety, and 55 gruel kitchens were established, of which 37 continue to operate. Over 35,000 people have been provided food, water, and shelter in the district with the supply of cooked meals continuing,” Ms. Parveen said.

Ms. Parveen said that the endeavour of the DM has been to stand by every family in distress. The district administration of Jalpaiguri has also deployed wildlife squads in forest fringe areas to ensure the safety of both wildlife and residents.

Both District Magistrates confirmed that the relief camps are providing comprehensive facilities to those affected by the disasters, including replacing lost textbooks and study materials for students preparing for the Madhyamik examinations. Camps have been set up to provide identity documents, including certificates to students, which have been washed away by floods. The Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri district administrations have made arrangements for medical facilities, proper sanitation, and drinking water in the flood-affected camps and areas.

While Darjeeling district recorded 21 deaths, about ten deaths were reported in Jalpaiguri. The district administration has ensured that financial assistance has reached the next of kin of the deceased in seven days.

Torrential rains had lashed Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri district in the intermittent night of October 4 and 5, triggering major landslides as the area received around 261 mm of rainfall in just 12 hours.

The Jalpaiguri district administration has restored electricity supply in 691 locations. In Darjeeling, the administration has set up Sufal Bangla stalls in villages cut off from the rest of the State to ensure a fresh supply of vegetables. Both Ms. Parveen and Ms. Goyal said that their respective district administration teams worked round the clock traversing difficult terrain to ensure no person was left behind.

On Sunday (October 12, 2025) Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee returned to north Bengal to oversee the rescue and relief operations. “She conducted a comprehensive administrative review at Alipurduar to ensure that affected people receive timely and effective support from the State Government,” the Trinamool Congress said on social media.