Has the Death Toll Reached 40 in Flood and Landslide-Affected Bengal?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The death toll from the floods and landslides in West Bengal has reached 40.
- Authorities are conducting ongoing rescue operations.
- Special camps have been established to help affected residents recover lost documents.
- Concerns about potential man-animal conflicts are rising due to food shortages in jungles.
- Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is set to visit the affected areas again.
Kolkata, Oct 11 (NationPress) The total number of fatalities in the flood and landslide-impacted areas of West Bengal has reached 40 following the discovery of another body over the past 24 hours.
As of Thursday morning, the official death toll was reported at 39, based on data gathered by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) along with the district administrations in Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri. This figure has now increased to 40.
On Friday, authorities recovered the body of a woman near Tudu Tea Garden at Bamundanga in the Jalpaiguri district. The body was found floating in a local river, as confirmed by an official from the Jalpaiguri district administration.
The identity of the deceased remains unknown.
In response to numerous local complaints regarding the loss of vital identity and important documents due to the disaster, the state government has initiated special camps in the affected regions to assist with the recovery of lost or damaged documents.
Additionally, mobile camps have been set up by the district police authorities in the adjacent Alipurduar district to facilitate this process.
"Considering the current circumstances, it is challenging for affected individuals to reach police stations to report their lost documents. Therefore, we have launched mobile camps in the districts to help those impacted. These camps will continue until the situation stabilizes," stated Alipurduar Superintendent of Police Y. Raghuvamshi.
Moreover, another pressing concern in the wildlife-adjacent areas of North Bengal, including Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar, is the potential for increased man-animal conflict. This is due to a scarcity of food in the jungles post-disaster, which may drive wild animals into local communities in search of sustenance.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to visit North Bengal again on October 13, focusing her tour exclusively on the hills.
Earlier this week, the Chief Minister's visit primarily covered the plains of North Bengal.