flood-affected - The Latremie Post

‘Rhinos drown…roads turn rivers’: Bengal floods leave trail of destruction

**Rhinos Drown, Roads Turn Rivers: Bengal Floods Leave Trail of Destruction**
*By Snehil Singh | October 6, 2025, 5:13 PM*

Heavy, unabating rains in West Bengal have caused significant destruction, claiming the lives of at least 28 people and leaving dozens reported missing. The worst-hit area is Darjeeling, where the town of Mirik alone has witnessed 13 deaths, with many others still missing as rescue operations continue.

The severe downpours across North Bengal have triggered landslides, causing roads to collapse and stranding numerous tourists during the Durga Puja vacation period.

**Wildlife Impact**

A heartbreaking viral video from near Jaldapara National Park shows rhinos floating in floodwaters and even chasing people. Jaldapara is renowned for its population of the one-horned rhinoceros and other endangered species, many of which are severely affected by the floods.

The devastating weather has not spared neighboring Nepal either. According to *The Kathmandu Post*, water-induced disasters there have resulted in 47 deaths and nine people missing.

**Rescue Efforts**

In the midst of the chaos, elephants have emerged as unexpected heroes. Ravikant Jha, Assistant Wildlife Warden of Jaldapara, shared how elephants are aiding rescue efforts by transporting stranded tourists after a wooden bridge near a lodge collapsed. “Our elephants have brought 2-4 tourists across the river because the bridge broke due to rain,” he said.

Additionally, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been actively involved in flood and water rescue operations. They have successfully rescued over 160 people from the affected areas—105 by boat and another 55 either airlifted or pulled across using zip lines in Jalpaiguri. During these operations, one deceased individual was also recovered.

**Weather Forecast**

The India Meteorological Department has forecasted that scattered light to moderate rains will continue in the sub-Himalayan regions until October 12. Isolated thunderstorms, gusty winds reaching 30-40 km/h, and lightning are expected to persist until Tuesday morning.

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The ongoing rains and floods continue to wreak havoc on both human lives and wildlife, highlighting the urgent need for sustained rescue efforts and disaster preparedness in the region.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/floods-and-landslides-devastate-darjeeling-rhinos-float-in-floodwaters/story

‘Rhinos drown…roads turn rivers’: Bengal floods leave trail of destruction

Rhinos Drown, Roads Turn Rivers: Bengal Floods Leave Trail of Destruction

By Snehil Singh | Oct 06, 2025 | 05:13 PM

Heavy, unabating rains in West Bengal have caused widespread devastation, resulting in at least 28 deaths and leaving dozens missing. The worst-hit region is Darjeeling, where Mirik alone has reported 13 fatalities, with many more still unaccounted for as rescue operations continue.

The intense downpours in North Bengal have triggered landslides, causing roads to collapse and stranding numerous tourists during the Durga Puja vacations. Infrastructure damage and disrupted transportation have further complicated relief efforts.

Wildlife Impact

A viral video from near Jaldapara National Park shows rhinos floating helplessly in floodwaters and even chasing people. The park is known for its population of the famous one-horned rhinoceros and other endangered species, raising concerns about the safety of wildlife amid the floods.

Severe weather has also severely affected neighboring Nepal, where water-induced disasters have claimed 47 lives, with nine more reported missing, according to The Kathmandu Post.

Rescue Efforts

Elephants have emerged as unlikely heroes in the rescue operations. Ravikant Jha, Assistant Wildlife Warden of Jaldapara, shared that elephants have been used to transport stranded tourists after a wooden bridge near a lodge collapsed due to heavy rain. “Our elephants have brought 2-4 tourists across the river because the bridge near the lodge broke,” he said.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been actively involved in flood and water rescue operations. So far, the NDRF has rescued over 160 people from affected areas. Of these, 105 were rescued by boats, while another 55 were either airlifted or pulled across rivers using zip lines in Jalpaiguri. Rescue teams also recovered one deceased individual during their operations.

Weather Forecast

The India Meteorological Department has forecast continued scattered light to moderate rain in the sub-Himalayan regions until October 12. Thunderstorms, gusty winds reaching 30-40 km/h, and isolated lightning strikes are expected until Tuesday morning, signaling the need for ongoing caution and preparedness.

Stay safe and follow official advisories as relief and rescue efforts continue across the region.

https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/floods-and-landslides-devastate-darjeeling-rhinos-float-in-floodwaters/story

You can’t waive a promise

While the government has temporarily halted loan recovery, this relief cannot be extended for years or indefinitely unless banks are directed to restructure loans or defer recovery for a longer period. Soon, farmers will have to start repaying their credit or risk being tagged as defaulters. This status would shut the doors to fresh loans, leaving many farmers unable to purchase seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides for the upcoming crop.

In such a dire situation, there will be no sowing, no harvest, and consequently, no income. The farming community, already struggling under a severe crisis, will be pushed further into debt and deeper trouble. This clearly indicates the urgent need for immediate relief to help farmers get back on their feet.

A loan waiver has become a survival necessity for two main reasons: first, recent rains have washed away crops; and second, the ruling Mahayuti alliance—comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar-headed NCP—promised during the 2024 assembly campaign to wipe out all farmers’ loan books. However, over eight months after coming to power, the alliance has so far delayed implementing this loan waiver.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his deputies, Shinde and Pawar, repeatedly assure that the promise has not been forgotten and that the waiver will be implemented at the appropriate time—though that time has yet to arrive. Given the current crisis of “wet drought,” now would be the ideal moment to fulfill this promise.

### Is a Loan Waiver the Right Solution?

Despite the promise and urgency, many experts believe that a loan waiver may not provide immediate relief to farmers. In reality, waivers tend to benefit banks more than the farmers themselves. The waiver money goes directly to lenders, helping financial institutions recover dues, but does little to solve the underlying distress faced by farmers. It does not put fresh capital into the hands of those who desperately need funds to cultivate the upcoming crop, typically sown in winter and harvested during March and April. Without such capital, the cycle of distress is bound to continue.

### Climate Change and Farming Risks

Another major challenge is the unpredictability of weather. Due to climate change, delayed, excessive, or insufficient monsoon spells have made farming increasingly risky. State government records reveal that over the past nine years, 519 lakh hectares of farmland across Maharashtra have been damaged due to unseasonal rains. Even Chief Minister Fadnavis recently acknowledged the toll climate change is taking on the agricultural sector during his visit to flood-affected areas in Marathwada and Solapur.

### Historical Context of Loan Waivers

Loan waivers are not new to Indian politics. In 2008, the UPA government announced a nationwide loan waiver scheme which reportedly benefited 70 lakh farmers from Maharashtra. In 2017, then-CM Devendra Fadnavis implemented a ₹34,000 crore waiver aimed at bailing out around 67 lakh debt-ridden farmers. Two and a half years later, in 2020, CM Uddhav Thackeray followed up with another waiver.

Agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan famously warned, “If agriculture goes wrong, nothing else will have a chance to go right.” This emphasizes that farmers need not just financial support, but also policy reforms and better access to resources.

### The Need for a Well-Planned Financial Package

A well-planned, sizable financial package could make a real difference. Direct support to farmers will ensure they receive immediate assistance to regain lost ground and attempt a comeback from the current crisis. Failure by the government to meet these basic needs could trigger severe consequences, such as rising debt levels, increased prices for essential commodities, and inflation.

Additionally, inadequate support may force many farmers to migrate to cities, potentially leading to social unrest. The human cost is stark: not all, but many farmer suicides are linked to financial distress. The latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report shows that in 2023, 10,786 farmers and agricultural workers took their own lives, with Maharashtra accounting for nearly 39% of these tragic deaths. In 2025 alone, 767 farmers died by suicide in Maharashtra, highlighting a deepening crisis in the sector.

### Political Assurances and Immediate Relief

Aware of this gravity, Eknath Shinde, in his recent Dussehra rally speech, promised every possible governmental and party support to pull farmers out of the crisis. Besides offering assurances, Shinde even pleaded with farmers not to take extreme steps.

Currently, as interim relief, farmers are being provided with ₹10,000 in cash along with 10 kg each of rice and wheat. However, what farmers truly need is not temporary aid, but sizeable and swift relief to survive today, accompanied by comprehensive loan waiver packages to help them rebuild sustainably.

### Conclusion

Without substantial and timely intervention, farmers will remain trapped in a vicious cycle of debt and distress. The future of Maharashtra’s agriculture and the livelihoods of millions depend on proactive, sustained support that goes beyond temporary fixes. The government must act decisively to translate promises into concrete actions before it is too late.
https://www.mid-day.com/news/opinion/article/you-cant-waive-a-promise-23597114