Kolkata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced on Friday that emergency response efforts will continue in the coastal districts of East Midnapore and South 24 Parganas following the landfall of Cyclone Dana, which has had minimal impact on the state so far. She emphasized that special attention will be given to these vulnerable areas.

During a meeting with state officials, Banerjee instructed the immediate distribution of mosquito nets in regions at risk of mosquito-borne illnesses like malaria. Relief camps will remain open until the situation improves, and medical camps will be set up in affected areas to prevent flood-related diseases. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force will stay deployed in the hardest-hit locations for the next two days.

Tragically, one death due to electrocution has been reported since Thursday night. The victim was working with cables at home. The Chief Minister criticized the Damodar Valley Corporation for its water release practices, which she claims contribute to flooding in certain areas. In September, she had announced the withdrawal of West Bengal’s representation from the Damodar Valley Reservoir Regulation Committee due to dissatisfaction with their flood management. Throughout the crisis, she remained at the state secretariat, monitoring the situation alongside senior officials.