Mamata Banerjee blames Bhutan for North Bengal floods, seeks compensation

Mamata Banerjee maintained that the state government has to arrange all relief and rehabilitation and claimed that the Centre does not pay for it.

Updated on: Oct 13, 2025, 14:27:53 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday claimed that the recent floods in North Bengal were caused by “water released from Bhutan”.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee wants Bhutan to pay for damages in Bengal floods (ANI)

Banerjee also sought compensation from the Himalayan kingdom for the damage and loss of life due to the floods.

"We have faced losses due to water coming down from Bhutan... We want them to give us compensation," PTI quoted Banerjee as saying in a short address during a government programme.

Banerjee visited multiple relief camps in the Bamandanga area of Nagrakata in Jalpaiguri district, one of the worst-affected areas due to heavy rain on October 4. The rain flooded the region and caused widespread damage to life and property in the upper reaches of Darjeeling and its foothills.

At least 32 people have been killed and thousands left homeless in landslides and floods in the northern districts of West Bengal.

"I have been insisting on setting up an Indo-Bhutan Joint River Commission for some time now, and I demand that West Bengal be made part of it. Under our pressure, there's a meeting scheduled on the 16th of this month, and our officers will attend that," Banerjee added, alleging that the Centre has deprived the state of monetary assistance for handling calamities.

War of words between TMC and BJP

A war of words has been going on between the BJP and Trinamool Congress (TMC) since BJP MP Khagen Murmu and MLA Sankar Ghosh were injured in an attack by a mob during their visit to the flood and landslide-hit Dooars region in north Bengal.

After the alleged attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had posted on X, condemning the incident and calling it absolutely pathetic and reflective of the TMC government's collapse of law and order.

Mamata Banerjee launched a blistering attack on PM Modi, accusing him of "politicising a natural disaster" and "breaching the constitutional ethos" after he criticised the TMC government over the assault on two BJP leaders in the northern part of the state.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Follow India news real-time updates and the latest news covered on Hindustan Times, featuring today's critical updates on Sonam Wangchuk Hunger Strike LIVE and more across India.