Anti flood measures planned

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug. 3: District irrigation officials here are studying the rising and falling trend of the Ganges’ water level in a bid to chalk out a proper strategy to deal with floods this year. It was learnt that officials had recorded a decline in the water level of the Ganges a few days back, and then noted a rise in the water level a later. North Bengal has not received adequate rainfall till now this year, which is causing problems in the retting of jute and plantation of aman paddy. However, irrigation officials claimed that there is a possibility of flood by September-end this year. Reports received from irrigation officials stated that water level of the Ganges at Manikchak ghaat was 23.42 metres on 3 August 2005. But officials have recorded the water level of the Ganges at 23.36 metres at 6 a.m. today. On 12 July 2005, the water level of the Ganges was 24.30 metres at Manikchak ghaat and it had caused heavy erosion on its left bank. This year, however, owing to scarcity of rain in Bihar and UP, the water level in the Ganges was only 23.00 metres on 12 July. The district has received only 501.90 mm rainfall this year, instead of the usual 1450 mm rainfall received by the region annually till September end. Officials expect this shortfall of 900 mm to be covered up in the next two months here. The irrigation department officials informed that district administration would take up ‘temporary’ flood protection measures after the water level in the Ganges touched the 25- metres mark at the Manikchak ghaat. An important flood prevention measure will be taken up by the district irrigation department by building a new ‘dwarf embankment’ on the left bank of the mighty Ganges in Kaliachak II area, officials said today. Senior engineers said a new ‘mini bandh’ (barrier for rising flood waters) would be built by dumping thousands of sand bags along the vulnerable bank-line zones.They added that the mini bandh would stretch for 800 metres downstream from Balufara area. Officials said that the embankment there was eroded due to heavy erosion last year. The irrigation authorities will also raise the height of the 2.7 km long PWD road in this region and seal all three culverts to prevent floods. This measure will act as an alternative in case the first defence line fails.