Fresh erosion in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 14: Fresh erosion has gobbled up large tracts of crop land between Manikchak Ghat and Domhat areas in Manikchak block. The erosion started yesterday and continues unabated on the left bank of the Ganga due to the receding trend in the water level, Malda irrigation officials said today. Authorities fear more erosion on the left bank of the Ganges due to fluctuation of its water level in the next few days.“Though the water level is receding and it has recorded 24.52 metres at 6 am today the water level would continue to rise from Thursday following heavy rain in the upper catchments,” Malda irrigation engineer Mr Sourmen Misra said. “More than six stations in Bihar in the upper catchments of the Ganga have received more than 100 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours,” he added. According to him, the water level of the Ganga is either constant or rising in almost all stations in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Fearing flood and erosion, the Malda district administration is coordinating with the Farakka Barrage Project and State Irrigation and Waterways officials.The FBP can check erosion by controlling the water flow through the lock gates. Malda irrigation officials are worried about the vulnerable point at Sakurullahapur, between the existing bed bars no. 24 and 25 owing to heavy whirling of waters.The two bed bars are crucial for the security of the newly constructed dwarf embankment at Sakurullahapur Shib Mandir point.