Water scarcity , 100 houses gutted in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, March 29. — More than 100 houses were gutted in a devastating fire that broke out at Khaskol village in Malda’s English Bazaar PS area today, rendering hundreds of villagers homeless, informed a senior officer. It is for the second time that a catastrophe has befallen upon the poor villagers, the first time being when a massive erosion on the left bank of the Ganges took place a few years ago, the officer informed. “The entire make-shift arrangements were destroyed, when the fire broke-out accidentally during the afternoon today,” said Mr Prasanna Mondal, the sub-divisional officer, on visiting the site. He said that the villagers somehow managed to rescue some of their belongings and that no casualties has been reported as yet. The officer said that some locals, who were organising a religious programme nearby have come forward to help and have offered the villagers “khichdi’”as mid-day meal. Reportedly, the block development officer has been instructed to make a list of the victims affected by the fire for providing them immediate relief. At the same time, the Malda SDO informed that the police have been instructed to put up a relief camp and make arrangements for lighting during the night. Reportedly, the district magistrate received the information of the fire breakout, during a video conferencing attended by the Malda SP, the DM’s colleagues and the DM himself . The fire brigade was immediately instructed to reach the spot. The fire reportedly caught a few huts surrounded by mango orchards and bamboo bush first and spread on to the other huts owing to a heavy breeze. Officers informed that in the last few days, several fire incidents were recorded in the district that has claimed four lives till date. #

Water scarcity in English Bazaar

MALDA, March 29. — The summer has just arrived, but the residents of English Bazaar Municipality have already started complaining of drinking water shortage. Reportedly, residents of ward No. 22 under the leadership of the Opposition councillors today staged a dharna in EBM demanding a proper pipeline for drinking-water supply. It was learnt that the chairman of the board had to finally intervene and a meeting was convened to sort out a solution. The residents of Kaltapara and Gayeshpur have alleged that the supply of drinking water has been insufficient as well as intermittent since the last few days. The residents suggest that the limited water carrying capacity of the water pipelines may be the root of the problem, but allegedly the concerned board is reluctant to look into the matter because of an altercation with the ruling councillors. The residents also informed that small pump sets for storing the supply water provided by the municipality was not functioning due to the meagre supply of water presently. On the other hand, it was also learnt that the residents of areas where the civic body could not supply water pipeline are facing problems in lifting water from the ground via mini pump sets. They said that the underground water level has reduced sharply due to the hot weather. — SNS