Cooch Behar Floods: Cooch Behar in North Bengal has been left grappling with massive floods after a relentless 190mm downpour within 24 hours inundated homes, roads, and farmlands. The district administration is on high alert as swollen rivers such as the Torsha, Mansai, Kaljani, and Gadadhar have overflowed, breaching embankments and flooding hundreds of villages.
Rivers Overflow as Torrential Rains Lash the Region
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cooch Behar received one of the heaviest single-day rainfalls of the season, marking a new peak in North Bengal’s monsoon fury. The IMD’s Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar stations also recorded significant rainfall, triggering fears of landslides in the nearby hills and flash floods in the plains.
➡️ IMD Official Weather Bulletins
Officials from the State Irrigation and Waterways Department confirmed that the water levels in all major rivers have crossed the danger mark. The situation was aggravated as continuous rain in upstream Bhutan led to additional water discharge into Bengal’s river system.
Villages Submerged, Crops Destroyed, and Thousands Displaced
Large areas of Tufanganj, Dinhata, and Mekhliganj blocks have been completely submerged. Residents reported that knee-deep water entered their homes overnight, forcing many to take shelter on rooftops or local school buildings. Standing paddy crops and vegetable fields have been wiped out in vast tracts of agricultural land.
Farmers are facing a grim scenario as their entire seasonal harvest is at risk. The Department of Agriculture, Government of West Bengal, has initiated a rapid crop damage assessment.
➡️ Department of Agriculture, West Bengal
Cooch Behar Floods: Rescue and Relief Operations Intensify
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Management and Civil Defence Department have launched joint rescue missions. Boats have been deployed in the worst-hit areas, and community kitchens are being operated to provide cooked food to stranded families.
District Magistrate Puja Bhattacharya said, “Our priority is to ensure no lives are lost. Evacuations are underway in the low-lying zones. Medical and sanitation teams are also active.”
➡️ West Bengal Disaster Management & Civil Defence Department
Infrastructure and Connectivity Severely Affected
Road connectivity between Cooch Behar and nearby districts like Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri has been disrupted. Several state highways are submerged, and bridges on smaller rivers have been reported damaged. Train services on the New Jalpaiguri–Cooch Behar route were suspended temporarily due to waterlogging on tracks.
The Public Works Department (PWD) has deployed repair teams to assess structural damage and clear blockages.
➡️ West Bengal PWD Updates
Electricity supply in many parts of Cooch Behar town and adjoining villages was snapped as a precautionary measure after reports of submerged transformers. The West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL) is working on restoring connections safely once floodwaters recede.
➡️ WBSEDCL Official Site
Schools Closed, Health Risk Looms
Schools and colleges across Cooch Behar have been ordered shut until further notice. Health officials fear outbreaks of waterborne diseases like diarrhea and cholera due to contaminated floodwater. Mobile medical units have been dispatched to distribute ORS packets and conduct health checks.
The West Bengal Health Department has activated emergency control rooms to monitor the situation.
➡️ West Bengal Health Department Alerts
Voices from the Ground: Residents Plead for Aid
In several parts of the district, locals complained about delayed relief supply and lack of shelter facilities. “Our entire house is under water. We have lost everything. No relief has reached us yet,” said a resident of Dinhata.
Women and children have been moved to higher ground, but the scarcity of clean drinking water and essential supplies has heightened their suffering. NGOs and volunteers have joined hands with the district administration in distributing relief materials.
State and Central Government Coordination
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reviewed the flood situation via video conference and instructed officials to expedite relief work. She directed district authorities to submit a detailed damage assessment for financial compensation under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
Meanwhile, the Central Water Commission (CWC) has issued advisories about maintaining strict vigil along embankments and riverbanks as water levels continue to rise.
➡️ Central Water Commission Flood Forecast
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nisith Pramanik, who represents Cooch Behar, urged the Centre to provide immediate financial assistance and deploy more NDRF teams.
Flood Control Measures and Long-Term Challenges
Experts warn that the recurring floods in North Bengal are a result of inadequate river dredging, encroachments on floodplains, and the absence of proper drainage systems. Environmentalists emphasize that unchecked deforestation in the foothills has worsened soil erosion, increasing the risk of floods downstream.
The West Bengal Irrigation Department has proposed new embankment projects and the construction of additional sluice gates to improve flood control.
➡️ Irrigation and Waterways Department, Govt. of West Bengal
Economic Impact on Tea and Tourism Sectors
Apart from agriculture, the floods have severely impacted the tea belt of Dooars and Cooch Behar. Several tea estates have reported damage to infrastructure and worker housing. The Tea Board of India has been requested to assess the extent of the losses.
➡️ Tea Board of India
Tourism in North Bengal, already affected by heavy rain in the hills, is expected to take another hit. Many homestays and resorts in Alipurduar and Cooch Behar have reported cancellations due to unsafe travel conditions.
Relief Camps, Shelters, and Donations
Over 60 relief camps have been set up across the district, housing more than 10,000 affected people. The government is distributing food grains, tarpaulin sheets, and medicines. Citizens can contribute through official donation channels for flood relief.
➡️ West Bengal Government Relief Portal
Outlook and Forecast
According to IMD forecasts, rainfall is expected to continue in parts of North Bengal for the next 48 hours. While intensity may reduce gradually, authorities remain cautious about further river swelling due to upstream water flow.
Conclusion: Need for Sustainable Flood Management in North Bengal
The Cooch Behar floods are yet another reminder of the urgent need for sustainable flood management, better river regulation, and improved early warning systems. While rescue and relief efforts continue, experts stress long-term ecological planning to prevent the annual devastation caused by monsoon excesses.
With coordinated efforts between the state, Centre, and local communities, Cooch Behar hopes to recover from this natural calamity and rebuild stronger for the future.
Official Government Resources:
- IMD West Bengal Weather Updates
- West Bengal Disaster Management Department
- Central Water Commission – Flood Forecast
- West Bengal Irrigation & Waterways Department
- West Bengal Government Portal
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