Statesman News Service
MALDA, July 25: Latest satellite images of the Ganges have brought hope for the people of Bangitola and Panchanandapur in Kaliachak II block. The satellite picture shows that a shoal (sandbank) is surfacing from the Ganges close to the erosion hit areas of Kaliachak II. More encouragingly, the sandbank is increasing its area gradually due to silt deposition. “The shoal area is increasing by the day. In 2003 it was just 300 square metres, last year it increased to 800 sq metre but now it has grown to 1.6 square km,” said Mr S Misra, executive engineer, Malda irrigation division. According to him, the island is coming up as a blessing for the inhabitants of the region as it would reduce the rate of erosion on the left bank diverting the water ways from left to right. The official, however, expressed worry over certain areas located at the up stream of the Ganges such as Gopalpur and Domhat in Manikchak block, following the meandering trend of the river. Irrigation department officials visited the bank line of the Ganges today and observed that whirling has started on the left bank of the river at Manikchak in the up stream. According to the officials, huge quantum of waters from the river Fulohar gushing into the Ganges is affecting the left bank from its confluence up to Gopalpur and Domhat. It may be noted that before Kaliachak II areas, the present vulnerable spots had earlier been hit by erosion rendering hundreds of people homeless. According to the Malda flood control cell, the Fulohar is flowing 75 centimetre above the extreme danger mark today. The trend of the river is rising and the red alert is on. The water level of the Ganges is above 24 metres at Manikchak point with a rising trend.
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