WB Election 2026: Flood-hit Hasimara residents demand protection for tea gardens

Residents of Hasimara in West Bengal say they are frustrated with recurring floods that repeatedly damage homes, tea plantations, and livelihoods. With the West Bengal Assembly elections approaching, locals are stepping up their demands for long-term solutions.

Purni Urao, tea garden worker, Hasimara, says,"Our tea garden here got completely submerged due to heavy waterlogging. The owner suffered huge losses, there are so many labourers, where will he get so much money to pay them? A large area had been newly planted, and that too has been destroyed, tea cultivation will not be possible again there. So for this, we are requesting that the government provide some kind of assistance to the owner. Otherwise it will be very difficult for him to manage, especially with such a large labour pool..."