West Bengal: 8 people died by drowning in Mal river during visarjan | Watch
At least eight people drowned and several others are missing in flash floods that occurred during the immersion of idols of Goddess Durga in Mal river in Jalpaiguri district on the occasion of Vijayadashami.
A senior official said that at the time of the incident, hundreds of people had gathered on the banks of the Mal river for the visargan when the incident took place. Jalpaiguri District Magistrate Moumita Godara gave media update and said that people were washed away due to sudden intensification of water in the river. So far eight bodies have been recovered and 50 people have been rescued.
He further added that that 13 people with minor injuries have been admitted to a nearby hospital. And the search and rescue operation is being carried out by NDRF (National Disaster Response Force), SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) with the help of police and local administration.
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State Backward Classes Welfare Minister Bulu Chik Baraik expressed his apprehension that the death toll will increase further. Baraik Mal is the MLA of the assembly constituency. He said that he was present at the spot when the accident happened. Several got washed away and the river’s current was very fast.
He said that hundreds of people were present there at the time of the incident and many are still missing. Baraik and several senior Trinamool Congress leaders reached the spot to take stock of the relief and rescue operations.
Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Legislative Assembly Shubhendu Adhikari expressed grief over the incident and requested the state administration to expedite the rescue work.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the floods. PM Modi tweeted, ‘Saddened by the accident that happened during Durga Puja festival in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones.’
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