Over 58,000 affected in floods in West Bengal, authorities issues red alert in Jalpaiguri

Kolkata: Around 58,000 people have been affected in 150 villages due to inundation of flood waters in three districts of West Bengal, prompting authorities to issue a red alert in Jalpaiguri.

State Disaster Management Minister Javed Khan said 58,000 people are affected in 150 villages of Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri and CoochBehar.

In Jalpaiguri district, the administration has issued a red alert, officials said.

Among the worst affected areas are Kalchini, Chitmahal, Kumargram, Phulbari and Dabgram.

Khan said they have established 43 shelters in the affected districts where relief material is being provided to those who have been temporarily displaced from their houses due to the flooding.

Incessant rains in Sikkim and Bhutan is resulting in increase of water level in low-lying areas of the Dooars, officials said.

In Alipurduar, there are reports of breach in some mud embankments.

Not only human beings, but even the wildlife in the forests of Lataguri and Jaldapara have been affected by the flooding, the officials added.