Statesman News Service
MALDA, 24 AUG: At a time the Fulohar river washed away a guard wall and flooded a large part of Harishchandrapur-II block, affecting about 800 families of 11 villages in Harischandrapur-II block and parts of Ratua-I block, the North Malda MP, Miss Mausam Noor, has left for Kolkata ostensibly to avoid police action in a case of alleged shrine looting. Her absence has drawn criticism from her supporters, who are unhappy with her for leaving the constituency when north Bengal is combating floods.
The administration is finding it difficult to convince the flood affected to shift to the rehabilitation camps. Many residents of Banikantatola took shelter on the nearby embankment but refused to go to the flood shelters, leaving their dwellings. Only 103 people from 12 families have shifted to the Mohinimohan Vidyapith flood shelter at Bhaluka. They alleged the panchayat had not provided them with relief.
Besides, thousands of people at Islampur and Daulatpur gram panchayat areas in Harishchandrapur are marooned. “The block development officers have been asked to start assessing damage,” said the Chanchal SDO, Miss Debjani Datta.
On the agriculture front, the flood has caused massive damage. The floodwater swept away jute stacked in the canals and damaged transplanted aman paddy, maize and betel. The overflowing waters have also taken toll of the wetlands used for pisciculture. Taking advantage of the situation, some traders have jacked up prices of essential commodities. Officials hope the situation would improve once the waters in the rivers recede.
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