“North Bengal is reeling under flood. Districts like Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar have been affected. Due to heavy rain in catchment areas of Kosi river, places in Bihar, Malda and Dakshin Dinajpur districts of Bengal will be affected in near future,” the chief minister told mediapersons at Kolkata airport before flying to Siliguri to review the flood situation.

The chief minister said that her government is trying to tackle the situation “on a war footing”, and accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of not performing its role to help the state fight against the calamities. “Nobody has given even a single rupee. No one is bothered… The Centre did not take up maintenance work of Farakka barrage and its water-bearing capacity has reduced to a great extent despite our repeated reminders to them,” Banerjee said.

“Only during elections, the BJP leaders visit our state, but forget about the state when it matters most. Only Bengal is being deprived of flood grants,” the TMC supremo said.

“We are dealing with the situation on a war footing and have launched a public address system for the evacuation of people living near rivers to safer places… The chief secretary has been sent to north Bengal,” the chief minister, who is set to hold an administrative meeting in Siliguri.

Meanwhile, the weather department predicted light to moderate rain or thundershower at many places over Darjeeling,

Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Cooch Behar, and Alipurduar districts of north Bengal till October 5.

“The southwest monsoon has been active over sub-Himalayan West Bengal. Light to moderate rain/thundershower occurred at most places with heavy rainfall (07-11cm) at one or two places over Darjeeling district. Light to moderate rain/thundershowers occurred at one or two places over Gangetic West Bengal,” said Met officials.

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