West Bengal flash flood: Search op on, say officials; PM, Mamata announce ex gratia for victims

The officials, however, maintained that they received no more reports of missing persons.

“Of the 15 injured, 10 are in hospital. The death toll is eight. A search operation is still on,” Jalpaiguri Superintendent of Police Debarshi Dutta said.

The incident took place around 8.30pm when several people entered the river to take part in idol immersion. The sudden rise in the water level caught them unawares and several people were swept away. A few who took shelter on a raised, grassy area in the middle of the river were rescued.

Expressing his condolences to the victims, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of the deceased. “Anguished by the mishap during Durga Puja festivities in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones,” the PM tweeted.

“Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each of the deceased…The injured would be given Rs. 50,000: PM,” he said in another tweet.

In a series of tweets, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also announced compensation for the families of the deceased.