Ganga erosion

Statesman News Service

MALDA Aug 4: The anti-erosion work carried out by Farakka Barrage Project, a Central government unit, at Ramlaltola and Dalbokshtola in Kaliachak II went in vain owing to severe erosion officials said today.Authorities said Bed Bar No 7 was completely damaged by the Ganges. A major part of Bed Bar No 6 stretching 150 metres along the left bank is also under threat. The FBP engineers are fighting hard to stem erosion in this damaged and vulnerable zone by “dip trees”. Sources said erosion continued till 2.30 pm today. State irrigation officials are keeping a close watch on the situation. Fluctuation of the water-level of the Ganges caused severe erosion today. “Water level between 23 to 24 metres is enough for causing severe erosion in this region,” irrigation officials said. The water level of the Ganges was 23.42 metres (below danger mark) at Manikchak Ghaat today, flood control officials said. Engineers fear that the up and downstream of the Ganges from the damaged part including Sultantola and upstream of Paglaghaat bus stand is under threat. Spending over Rs. 15 crore, the FBP carried out more than two km long bank line protection work this year. Last year, the state irrigation department had undertaken 3 km-long anti- erosion work on the left bank of the Ganges in the same areas but due to severe erosion half of its construction work gradually eroded away during the last monsoon . This year, the FBP took up the job in the same region. State parliamentary affairs minister and top officials including the general manager of FBP visited the vulnerable areas along the bankline of the Ganges in July and held a meeting to check erosion in this region. #

Pic : Pralependu Sanyal