Flood Situation in West Benga

Date: 
Monday, October 2, 2000

Press Release

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) now in session in New Delhi has adopted the following resolution:

On Flood Situation In West Bengal

The Central Committee notes with deep concern the severe and unprecedented floods in West Bengal which have swept over large parts of the state covering 9 districts out of 18 and affecting nearly 1.75 crore people, due to massive rainfall in a very short span of time. As per available reports around eight hundred people have died and nearly 225 people are missing. Their numbers may increase further. A large number of cattle are lost. Still there are large numbers of people marooned by flood waters. 14 lakh hectares of crop land are still under water. The intensity and gravity of the situation has surpassed all previous records. It appears from the initial estimate that the total loss will not be less than rupees three thousand crore.

The state government is concentrating all its efforts for rescue and relief operations. The army has been deployed in different parts for this purpose. The entire party, different organisations, clubs and ordinary people have come forward with all types of help and cooperation.

The floods have badly affected the neighbouring state of Bihar also.

The Central Committee conveys its deep sympathy to all those families who have lost their relatives in this calamity.

Taking into consideration the huge loss of lives, of cattle, houses, crops and properties, the Central Committee demands that the Union Government declare the floods in West Bengal as a national calamity and extend all possible help to the state government for immediate rescue, relief and reconstruction work. The Central Committee also appeals to the people of our country to come forward and extend all possible help to the flood victims of the state.