Water level of Ganga rises

MALDA, Aug. 13: The water level of the Ganga has been gradually rising at Manikchak in Malda following a heavy downpour in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Further rainfall will propel the water level of this river to cross the danger mark subsequently affecting the left bank line, irrigation officials said today. The flood control cell recorded a water level of 24.83 metres at Manikchak Ghaat this morning. On 9 August, the water level was measured at 24.72 metres. “The Ganga Flood Control Commission office in Patna said the water level of the Ganga would continue to rise in the next four days here”, said Mr S Misra, the executive engineer, irrigation department in Malda. According to him, all water level measuring stations in the upper catchments on the Ganga show a rising trend. The Ganga's water level is rising at Hatida, Bhagalpur, Munger, Kahelgaon and Sahebganj in the upper catchments. The executive engineer Mr S Misra said there was no report of severe erosion on the left bank of the Ganga but the river is still nibbling its bank line away on the western side of an Island - Bhutni Diara - in Manikchak. The district irrigation department has sent a proposal to its higher authorities for the construction of two (5th and 6th) retired embankments at Bhutni Island for flood protection next year after assessment of the erosion trend in this zone. n SNS