Mirik (WB), Oct 7 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said her government would extend full assistance to rebuild homes, roads, and bridges damaged in last week's devastating landslides and floods in north Bengal, as she met bereaved families in the worst-hit hill town of Mirik and handed over compensation cheques to the victims.

Reviewing the post-disaster situation at Mirik's Doodhiya area in Darjeeling district, Banerjee said the state government would ensure that every affected family received help for rehabilitation and restoration.

"Those whose houses have been destroyed, we will take care of them," she said during her interaction with local residents, directing officials to prepare a detailed list of damaged homes and properties.

The chief minister announced that a temporary bridge connecting Mirik to the plains would be rebuilt within 15 days to restore road connectivity that was snapped after the disaster.

"Initially, officials told me it would take a month to construct the bridge, but after discussions, it was decided that the work must be completed within 15 days," she said.

Banerjee said a permanent, high-quality bridge at Doodhiya would also be constructed within a year.

"We have decided to start an alternative bridge immediately so that communication is not disrupted. Our engineers are working on four to five damaged bridges in Mirik and Nagrakata simultaneously," she added.

The chief minister, who reached Mirik by road amid intermittent drizzle, visited the families of those who lost their lives in the calamity and personally handed over compensation cheques.

"When life is lost, no effort is enough. A house can be rebuilt, but a life once gone cannot be brought back. We are deeply pained by your loss," Banerjee said while consoling the bereaved families.

Officials said the government has sanctioned Rs 5 lakh compensation to each family of the deceased, while those whose homes were destroyed are being provided financial assistance and relief materials, including food, tarpaulins, and blankets.

Banerjee also announced that one member of each bereaved family would be provided a government job as a special home guard within a month.

The chief minister instructed district authorities to set up special camps to help people reissue essential identity and welfare documents, such as Aadhaar, PAN, and ration cards that were lost in the disaster.

She also ordered the supply of schoolbooks and stationery for affected children.

"These camps must continue for at least a month, not only in Mirik but in all affected areas," she told officials.

Banerjee further directed the local administration to keep community kitchens running until the displaced families can return home.

"No one should go hungry. The kitchens must continue until normalcy is restored," she said.

During the review meeting, Banerjee expressed gratitude to state engineers and disaster management personnel for working tirelessly to restore connectivity in the hills.

She instructed them to expedite the repair of the landslide-affected Rohini road, a key route linking the Darjeeling hills with the plains.

The chief minister said the bodies of some victims from neighbouring Nepal and Bhutan had also been recovered during rescue operations. "We have asked the chief secretary and the DGP to identify them properly and hand them over to their respective governments with full respect," she stated.

Banerjee said that farmers who suffered crop losses due to flash floods and landslides would receive compensation under the state's crop insurance scheme.

Banerjee said heavy rainfall in neighbouring Nepal, Sikkim, and Bhutan had worsened the flood situation in north Bengal. "Geographically, Bengal is shaped like a boat. When it rains in the upper regions, water naturally flows down to our side," she explained, adding that the state's relief agencies had been working relentlessly to cope with the disaster's impact.

She held a virtual meeting with officials from the affected districts on Sunday, reached Siliguri on Monday afternoon, and then travelled to Nagrakata before proceeding to Mirik on Tuesday.

Banerjee was accompanied by Chief Secretary Manoj Pant and senior officials from the Disaster Management Department during her visit.

At least 30 people were killed and several others injured in a series of landslides and flash floods triggered by torrential rains across north Bengal, which disrupted road and rail communication and stranded hundreds of tourists. PTI PNT RG