Minister Agnimitra Paul Reviews Haldia Flood Relief Efforts

West Bengal Minister Agnimitra Paul visited the flood-affected areas of Durgachak, Sutahata, and Ranichak in Haldia on Tuesday to assess the situation caused by heavy rainfall and waterlogging. The minister inspected ongoing relief operations and held a review meeting with administrative officials to ensure aid reaches those in need.

Relief Operations and Rescue Efforts

There are approximately 80 relief camps currently operating in the affected regions. Authorities have set a target to move 6,000 to 6,500 people to safer locations, with around 4,000 individuals already relocated to these camps. The administration is continuing efforts to shift the remaining residents. Due to the risk of collapsing structures, officials are using public announcements to urge people living in mud houses to relocate to safer areas. A tragic incident involving the death of an elderly person due to a wall collapse was reported on Tuesday.

Distribution of Essential Supplies

To support the displaced population, the state government is providing food, drinking water, tarpaulins, gas cylinders, and clothing. The state has dispatched 10,000 tarpaulins and allocated one crore rupees to the disaster management department to facilitate relief work. An NDRF team is active in the area, and local fishermen are also assisting with boats to navigate shallow water zones where motorized boats face operational difficulties. For further official updates on disaster management and safety guidelines, citizens can refer to the West Bengal Disaster Management Department website.

Long-term Planning and Administration

Minister Agnimitra Paul stated that the current government is working on long-term solutions to address the recurring waterlogging issues in Haldia. She emphasized that while the current administration has been in office for only 100 days, it is committed to implementing a transparent relief distribution system and developing a master plan for the region. The government continues to coordinate with local agencies to restore normalcy as soon as possible.