Ganga fury in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Aug 2: About 25 acres of cropland was eroded away by the Ganga at Sultantola in Kaliachak II block today.Though the district irrigation officials and Central waterways experts officials had predicted such erosion at this spot three years ago and suggested to take up bank protection work no anti-erosion measures were taken. Observing the meandering trend of the Ganga discharging floodwater irrigation officials fear more erosion on the left bank line in Kalichak II including the bank line near Sakurulahapur where a mini dyke was constructed this year for flood protection. The Jalpaiguri divisional commissioner Mr B L Meena, the Malda district magistrate Mr C R Das and Malda irrigation executive engineer Mr S Misra inspected the entire vulnerable stretches from Manikchak Ghaat to Panchanandapur today.It may be noted that erosion started at the Domhat area in Manikchak block a few days ago and the local experts had predicted more erosion when the water level would cross 24.50 metre at Manikchak Ghaat point. The Malda irrigation officials today recorded 24.65 metres water level of the Ganga and have flashed the yellow signal on the protected banks. "The water level would remain static if not increase the next 48 hours because flood waters would be coming down through this water ways from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh," said Mr Misra. No anti-erosion work was taken up by the Farakka Barrage Project on the left bank of the Ganga this year. In 2005 and 2006 both state irrigation and FBP carried out more than 5 km long bank protection work. In 2006 FBP had repaired a half of 3 km long anti-erosion work in Kaliachak II block areas, which was eroded away in 2005. But no anti-erosion work or maintenance job was taken up this year.Following the Malda DM's request the FBP undertook palliative anti-erosion work only in two places in Manikchak out of six vulnerable spots. It is alleged that the villagers had driven out the FBP officials demanding permanent anti-erosion for the protection of crop and homestead land in Manikchak block.