At least eight people who went for idol immersion drowned in the Mal river in north Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district on Wednesday night due to flash floods. It is said that a large number of people had gathered on the banks of the river for the immersion of the idols of Goddess Durga.
Jalpaiguri district magistrate Moumita Godara Basu said, “Eight people, including a child, died and 13 others were injured. More than 50 people were rescued. No one is reported missing. The search operation is still going on downstream. It’s still raining.”
The incident took place at Malbazar at around 9.30 pm. Like most rivers, the Mal river also gets flooded due to heavy rains in the foothills of the Himalayas. It was raining heavily in Kalimpong hills when the accident happened. The devotees were not aware of the rise in water level in the upper stream of the river.
Officials said that a large number of people had gathered on the river bank. Due to the sudden flood, the water level rose from six inches to 3.5 feet in a matter of seconds. All the victims have been identified.
Several vehicles carrying the idols were washed away in the flood waters. Several houses have also been damaged.
Rajen Murmu, a local resident, said, “there had been a warning from the administration about the possibility of heavy rains and rise in water level in the hills, the accident could have been averted.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the floods. PM Modi tweeted, “Saddened by the accident that happened during Durga Puja festival in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones.”
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