Flood situation grim in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 21: The Malda irrigation department today hoisted red signal in the unprotected left bank of the Ganges at Manikchak Ghaat in Malda district. The water level in the Ganges was recorded at 25 metres at Manikchak today. The executive engineer of Malda irrigation division, Mr Soumen Misra, said water level in the Ganga would continue to rise in the next few days following heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas, such as Hatida and Kahelgaon, where the river is in spate. “If rains stop in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Nepal, the water level in the Ganges would automatically fall in Malda,” Mr Misra, said. He added that currently the seventh and eighth retired embankments and a newly constructed dwarf embankment from Manikchak to Kaliachak II blocks plus a circuit embankment at Bhutni Diara, an island, in Manikchak block are preventing flood waters of the Ganges from entering the villages. Yesterday, more than five villages in Manikchak block were inundated and over 5,000 people affected. The incident occurred after a few miscreants cut off a part of the dwarf embankment at Gopalpur at midnight. The block officials of Manikchak and Kalichak II have alerted the people who live in many islands, such as Gadai, Duani and others. The people of these islands find it difficult to feed their cattle if the Ganga waters inundates the islands. The irrigation officials are keeping close eyes on the vulnerable spots in Kaliachak II areas where they fear that a newly constructed dwarf embankment may be breached. The Farakka Barrage Project officials are keeping a close watch on the nature of the Ganges and its water flow.