Erosion worries Malda, damage Cooch Behar

Statesman News Service

COOCH BEHAR/MALDA, Aug 1: Though the flood situation has improved in Cooch Behar, there were fresh erosions today on the left bank of the Ganga at Adarshagram in Malda’s Kaliachak II block. Irrigation department officials of Malda fear the erosion problem would aggravate this week following high velocity discharge of water through the Ganga. “Though the area is under the supervision of Farakka Barrage Project, I have reported the matter to the Malda SDO, Ms Arunima De, as per the district magistrate’s instruction,” Mr S Misra, Malda irrigation division executive, said. “With 24.52-metre water level at Manikchak Ghat in Malda, the Ganga is discharging 12.50 lakh cusec water today. The most severe erosion occurs when the discharge rate is between 12.50 lakh cusec and 16 lakh cusec,” Mr Misra said. The water level in all the major rivers in Cooch Behar has receded and the people are leaving the relief camps for their homes in the improved situation, the Cooch Behar district magistrate, Mr Rajesh Kumar Sinha, said today. According to district officials, 4,947 houses were severely damaged and 8,972 houses were partially damaged by the floods in the district. The floods affected 29 gram panchayats in six blocks distressing more than one lakh people. Many roads in the rural areas have been damaged. The agriculture sector has also suffered huge loss. About 10,000 hectares under cultivation were affected and the loss is estimated at Rs 10 crore. The district has suffered a total loss of about Rs 21 crore in terms of crop and infrastructure. According to a zilla parishad report, a fund of Rs 15-crore is immediately required to keep things going. Political organisations have started fishing in muddy waters literally. According to the Cooch Behar district Trinamul Congress president, Mr Rabindra Nath Ghosh, the flood-affected people are now suffering from lack of food, drinking water and baby food. He also alleged that the river embankments were being washed away and the overflowing rivers running through villages. The flood waters have damaged a large number of houses throughout the district, rendering people helpless. “They need work and food, not speeches,” he said. Demanding arrest and punishment of contractors and officials concerned with the construction of “inferior” embankments, Mr Ghosh said his organisation would submit a memorandum to the state relief minister, Mr Murtaja Hussain, who is to visit the district on Friday.