8 Dead, Several Feared Missing as Flash Flood Hits Jalpaiguri’s Malbazar During Idol Immersion

Flash flood hits Mal River in Jalpaiguri during Durga Visarjan. Eight people dead, several feared missing and many people were trapped in the river and many washed away.

Jalpaiguri: At least eight people drowned and several others went missing after being swept away in the Mal river due to flash floods during idol immersion on Vijayadashami in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri on Wednesday night. Giving details, local authorities said 8 deaths have been confirmed and over 10 injured have been admitted to hospital. Four of the dead are women. Jalpaiguri SP Debarshi Dutta said many people were trapped in the river and many washed away and bodies of 8 people were recovered.

The incident happened around 8.30 pm last night when a flash flood hit the Mal river on Bhutan side and suddenly water level started rising in the river. The flash flood hit when hundreds of people gathered on the banks of the Mal river to participate in the immersion ceremony.

Jalpaiguri District Magistrate Moumita Godara said, “All of a sudden, flash floods struck and people were swept away. So far, eight bodies have been recovered and we have rescued around 50 people.” She said 13 people, who received minor injuries, were admitted to a nearby hospital.

“The search and rescue operations are underway and being carried out by teams of the NDRF, SDRF, police and local administration. The search operations have started downstream,” she said.

Check Jalpaiguri Flash Flood Video Here

Flash flood at the Malbazar river during Durga Viserjan. More than 100 people missing. No one knows how many dead! Many trying to save their loved ones! A black day for my home town. We need all your prayers. Pray for us.. pic.twitter.com/RCWwpt5bVW

— Vikram Agarwal (@Vikram_Tub) October 5, 2022

Taking to social media, several users shared the video of the flash flood and said flash flood at the Malbazar river during Durga Viserjan. “More than 100 people missing. No one knows how many dead! Many trying to save their loved ones! A black day for my home town. We need all your prayers,” one user said.

Check Jalpaiguri Flash Flood Video Here

#WestBengal: Flash flood chaos emerges at MalBazar in Jalpaiguri

Durga idol immersion was taking place

Several feared missing #MalRiver #flood pic.twitter.com/sU7AiHmKr6

— Anish Singh (@anishsingh21) October 5, 2022

As per the preliminary information, at least seven people who were gathered for idol immersion were killed and several others went missing due to a flash flood in the river.

The incident happened when a crowd gathered at the bank of Mal river for Bijoya Dashami celebrations and subsequent idol immersion. Local authorities said seven bodies have been recovered so far and the search is still on for those reported missing in the flash flood.

Taking to Twitter, BJP Leader Suvendu Adhikari said, “Saddening news coming from Jalpaiguri as flash flood in Mal river during Durga Puja immersion swept away many people. Few deaths have been reported till now. I request the DM of Jalpaiguri & @chief_west to urgently step up rescue efforts and provide assistance to those in distress.”

Saddening news coming from Jalpaiguri as flash flood in Mal river during Durga Puja immersion swept away many people. Few deaths have been reported till now.
I request the DM of Jalpaiguri & @chief_west to urgently step up rescue efforts & provide assistance to those in distress. pic.twitter.com/4dZdm2WlLO

— Suvendu Adhikari • শুভেন্দু অধিকারী (@SuvenduWB) October 5, 2022

State Backward Class Welfare Minister Bulu Chik Baraik, who is the MLA from the Mal Assembly constituency, feared that the death toll may increase. “I was present at the spot when the incident happened. Several people were swept away and the water current was very strong. Hundreds of people were present when the incident took place. Several are still missing,” he said. Baraik and senior TMC leaders rushed to the spot to oversee the relief and rescue operations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the kins of the people who lost their lives in the flash floods. “Anguished by the mishap during Durga Puja festivities in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones,” PM Modi tweeted.