Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Adhikari Announces Rs 241.65 Crore for Malda Flood Victims
Floods and river erosion damaged homes and affected thousands of people in Malda.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced about Rs 242 crore in compensation for 24,595 affected people.
Families whose homes were completely damaged are to receive Rs 1.8 lakh, while families with partly damaged homes are to receive Rs 90,000.
Around 5,000 families also received relief and items for Durga Puja, though reports describe the supplies in different ways.
Adhikari said IIT Kanpur would prepare a plan to help prevent future flood and erosion damage.
He said a proposal for about Rs 3,300 crore had been sent to the Centre, with Rs 500 crore approved.
An embankment was breached, and the state plans to strengthen or repair another stretch.
Reports give different accounts of the condition of that stretch and which flood-related deaths had not been reported.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced about Rs 242 crore in compensation for 24,595 people affected by floods and river erosion in Malda.
Families with fully damaged homes are to receive Rs 1.8 lakh; those with partially damaged homes are to receive Rs 90,000.
Reports describe relief for around 5,000 families, including food, clothing and other supplies ahead of Durga Puja; one says the food covered five days.
Adhikari said IIT Kanpur was preparing a detailed project report and that a proposal of about Rs 3,300 crore had been sent to the Centre, which approved Rs 500 crore.
He cited a 1,400-metre embankment breach and said about 2,200 metres would be strengthened or repaired; reports differ on the precise condition of that stretch.
- Who
- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and 24,595 people affected by floods and river erosion.
- What
- Adhikari announced compensation and relief, and described proposed long-term flood and erosion-control measures.
- When
- Thursday, October 8; the reports do not specify the year consistently.
- Where
- Malda district, including Manikchak, Ratua and English Bazar; proposed measures also include areas in Murshidabad.
- Why
- To compensate people for flood and erosion damage and pursue a lasting response to recurring flooding.
Adhikari's claims
Previous governments
Past flood response
Adhikari's claims
Adhikari criticized previous governments, saying they had not resolved flooding in affected areas and questioning whether earlier chief ministers had visited and provided compensation promptly.
Previous governments
The reports provide no response from previous governments to these criticisms.
Use of relief funds
Adhikari's claims
Adhikari alleged that funds from the Centre's Calamity Relief Fund had not been properly used by the previous government and said about Rs 1,700 crore could be used for additional flood-control measures.
Previous governments
The reports provide no response from the previous government to the allegation.
- Compensation announced
- Rs 241.65 crore in one report; other reports round this to about Rs 242 crore, for 24,595 affected people or families.
- Fully damaged homes
- Rs 1.8 lakh per family.
- Partially damaged homes
- Rs 90,000 per family.
- Relief distribution
- Around 5,000 families received relief and Puja-related supplies; one report specifies five days of food supplies.
- Flood-control proposal
- Adhikari said a proposal of about Rs 3,300 crore had been sent to the Centre and Rs 500 crore had been approved.
- Project preparation
- IIT Kanpur was tasked with preparing a detailed project report for a permanent flood and erosion solution.
- Embankment
- A 1,400-metre stretch was reported breached; about 2,200 metres was described as needing strengthening or repairs.
- Deaths reported
- Reports cite no deaths from drowning or snakebite, while another account says there were no reported deaths from snakebite or diarrhoea.
