Flood situation grim

Statesman News Service

COOCH BEHAR/MALDA, Sept 6: The Teesta, Kaljani and Mansai rivers are still flowing above the danger mark in Cooch Behar district. Yellow signal was flashed over these rivers today. One person, meanwhile, is feared drowned in the floodwaters in Mathabhanga sub-division.Additional district magistrate (development) Mr Pannalal Mahapatra said the water levels in the Gadadhar and the Kaljani rivers in Tufanganj are showing a rising trend. The situation might turn worse if the downpour continues, he opined.In Mekhliganj sub-division, the Teesta breached about 90-metre of its embankment at Kuchlibari area. Yesterday, the damage was about 30-metre only. To stop the river from approaching towards adjoining villages the irrigation division officials are working overnight. Sandbags, boulders and iron wire-nets are being used to stop erosion. About 5,000 people of the area are suffering from fear. ADM (D) Mr Mahapatra said the BDO of the area was instructed to open relief camps for the affected people.In Tufanganj, the river erosion has continued unabated. Rise of water levels in the Kaljani and the Gadadhar has worsened the situation. Erosion is continuing in Ambari area also in Cooch Behar-II block. Meanwhile, one Subhas Barman (36) disappeared in the floodwaters of the Sutunga river in Mathabhanga sub-division today. Barman, a resident of Nayarhat village, was reportedly going to work under the 100-day job scheme. While he was swimming to cross the Sutunga river, he suddenly went missing around 11.30 a.m. Locals tried hard to rescue him but failed. Search operation was on till evening. Cooch Behar ADM (D) Mr Mahapatra said there is no scarcity of relief materials in the district. He said if downpour continues at the upper catchment areas, the situation may turn grave. Mr Mahapatra added that no anti-erosion work is possible at this moment.Meanwhile, the water level in the Ganga rose in Malda district today following heavy rainfall in Uttar Pradesh and north Bihar. The river has started eroding its bank line, besides damaging a marginal embankment in Kaliachak III block. The Malda irrigation officials said that the water level in the Ganga would continue to rise in the next four days. According to information received from the Ganga Flood Control Commission, the water level in the Ganga is rising at various places. A Malda irrigation official, however, said that currently there is no flood threat in the district. According to officials, the water level in the Ganga was constant at 24.60 metres during the last four days. However, today its has increased by 4 cm.