Fulohar erosion leaves scores landless

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 2 AUG.: Erosion continues unabated along the left bank of the river Fulohar in the northern part of this district rendering many people landless since Friday due to the fluctuation of its water level.

Local residents have lost their crop lands due to erosion at some villages under Debipur gram panchayat and Surjapur and other villages under Kahala gram panchayat in Ratua block. Erosion continues at Mahanandatola and Bilaimari gram panchayat areas in Ratua, at Bhaluka Bazaar and Mian Haat areas in Harishchandrapur block.

Due to a lack of funds, the irrigation department could not take up any temporary emergency measures to check the erosion.

Fresh erosion has narrowed down the safe distance between the bank line and embankment for flood protection at Surjapur under Kahala gram panchayat.

“At present the distance between the bank line and the embankment is nearly 50m at Surjapur,” said Mr Tapas Sukul, pradhan, Kahala gram panchayat.

According to the panchayat members, Mr Ajit Mandal has lost a large part of his crop lands due to erosion since Friday. Mr Mandal was the husband of the upo pradhan Mrs Sibani Mandal of Kahala gram panchayat. Like Mr Mandal there are several families in Debipur and Kahala gram panchayat areas who have lost their crops, including standing crop jute. Many of them started harvesting on Friday morning fearing the trend of erosion.

The executive engineer of Mahananda division Mr Biren Das had visited the affected areas on Friday and is monitoring the situation for reporting to the higher authorities.

“We do not have funds to check erosion in other areas except Bhaluka Bazaar,” said Mr Biran Das.