Sabhadhipati seeks more relief for flood victims

MALDA, Sept. 4: The sabhadhipati of Malda zilla parishad Mrs Sabina Yeasmin today requested the block development officer of Harishchandrapur II to increase relief to the flood victims during her visit to the badly hit villages such as Uttar and Dakhshin Bhakuria. Explaining the plight of the flood victims, Mrs Yeasmin said several people were living with their homes underwater and the situation is facing a relief crisis. Villagers told her they were getting 5 kg grains, which were not adequate. “The system is to distribute 12 kg grains per head to flood victims but the villagers alleged they were getting only 5 kg. I have requested the BDO to increase the quantity of the grains at the present situation,” Mrs Yeasmin said. She also said: “Flood victims need medical assistance at present. They may fall ill owing to water born diseases if medical teams do not care for them now. Only one medical team went there for one day a few days ago. I will ask the chief medical officer of health to look into matter seriously,” she said. During discussion with the block development officer it was decided that bleaching powder would be distributed to the affected areas for disinfection. Following the instruction of the district magistrate Mr CR Das the public health engineering officials ensured that they would provide drinking water in pouch packs to the affected areas. The irrigation officials have lifted the red signal from the two rivers Ganga and Fulohar. Both rivers were flowing below the danger mark today. On the other hand, erosion started along the bank line of the Ganga in Manikchak block area. One Ramesh Mandal (55), resident of Sonapur in Manikchak, committed suicide when the Ganga swallowed his homestead yesterday, villagers said. A few days ago, he had lost four bighas of cropland due to erosion in Manikchak. n sns