Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Suvendu Adhikari visits flood-hit Haldia amid mounting public anger
Heavy rain caused serious waterlogging in Haldia and other parts of southern West Bengal.
Many people had to leave their homes and stay elsewhere.
Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari visited Haldia and met officials to plan relief work.
He also asked nearby industrial companies to help using their social responsibility funds.
Some residents were upset because they said local elected representatives were not visible during the crisis.
The chief minister said the local administration was capable and that the local MLA was helping while ill.
Families with damaged mud homes will receive ₹20,000 to rebuild.
Officials will also study damage to farms, fisheries and gardens before announcing more help.
Flooding and river erosion were also reported in other districts, including damage near the Gangasagar temple area.
Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari visited waterlogged Haldia in East Midnapore after public anger grew over the prolonged crisis.
He held a two-hour meeting with district officials and asked industrial houses to use corporate social responsibility funds for relief.
Six Haldia municipal wards, 52 Sutahata mouzas and several gram panchayats were among the worst-affected areas.
The government announced ₹20,000 grants for families whose mud houses were damaged and ordered assessments of agricultural losses.
Flooding worsened in parts of West Midnapore, while erosion at Gangasagar damaged five bathing ghats and uprooted trees and power poles.
- Who
- Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, the East Midnapore administration, industrial houses and residents of affected areas.
- What
- Officials launched relief and restoration efforts after prolonged rain caused waterlogging, flooding and coastal erosion.
- When
- Suvendu Adhikari visited on Tuesday night and held a two-hour meeting on Wednesday; the wider flooding was reported over the preceding few days.
- Where
- Haldia and other parts of East Midnapore, West Midnapore and South 24-Parganas in West Bengal.
- Why
- Incessant heavy rain, rising rivers, a deep depression and spring tide caused waterlogging, flooding and erosion.
Residents’ concerns
Government’s response
Accountability during the crisis
Residents’ concerns
Residents criticized the absence of visible elected representatives, saying neither the MLA nor the MP was seen in the area during the prolonged waterlogging.
Government’s response
Suvendu Adhikari said the Haldia MLA was ill but continued supervising the situation through staff and would work with the sub-divisional officer.
Causes of waterlogging
Residents’ concerns
Residents alleged that inadequate disposal of industrial waste had worsened the waterlogging.
Government’s response
The chief minister defended the local administration and said the sub-divisional officer, public works officials, Indian Oil Corporation, the port and other stakeholders were coordinating the response.
Municipal leadership
Residents’ concerns
The lack of an elected Haldia municipality leadership was cited by residents as part of the problem.
Government’s response
Adhikari said civic elections would be held after Durga Puja and assigned the local MLA to oversee municipal affairs in the interim.
- Worst-hit Haldia areas
- Six municipal wards, 52 mouzas in Sutahata block, two gram panchayats under Haldia development block and four to five gram panchayats in Mahishadal.
- Housing assistance
- Families whose mud houses were damaged will receive a ₹20,000 reconstruction grant.
- Damage assessments
- Five teams will assess losses to betel-leaf cultivation, flower gardens, fisheries and Aman paddy.
- Snakebite cases
- Twenty snakebite cases were reported in East and West Midnapore, with no fatalities.
- West Midnapore flooding
- Forty-one gram panchayats were affected, including 13 in Sabang and seven in Dantan-I.
- Gangasagar erosion
- Five bathing ghats were destroyed, while trees and electricity poles were uprooted near the Kapil Muni temple.
- Haldia civic administration
- Civic elections have not been held for four years; Adhikari said polls would take place after Durga Puja.