3 weeks ago

Heavy rain wreaks riverbank erosion across four north Bengal districts

Heavy rain wreaks riverbank erosion across four north Bengal districts
Downpour wears away riverbanks as rivers swell across north Bengal - Telegraph India · telegraphindia.com

Heavy rain has been falling in a part of India called north Bengal for about a week.

The rain has made the rivers grow big and fast.

When rivers get too full, they push against the land on their sides and wash chunks of it away — this is called riverbank erosion.

The erosion has damaged land in four districts: Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar.

Officials found damage in 19 places and think it costs between 10 and 12 crore rupees.

Workers have put sandbags near the rivers to protect the banks and are storing sand, stones and wire mesh for bigger repairs.

The repair work will have to wait until the rain stops and the rivers go down.

Some towns already got more rain this year than they usually get in a whole year.

Because more rain is expected, the flood control room will stay open until October 31.

Key facts

Estimated loss
₹10 to ₹12 crore
Districts affected
Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar
Erosion sites identified
19
District with most erosion sites
Jalpaiguri
Rainfall in Alipurduar (till Aug 5)
3,795mm
Rainfall in Banarhat, Jalpaiguri (till Aug 5)
3,509mm
Normal annual rainfall in north Bengal
3,400mm–3,500mm
Flood control room operational until
October 31

Quotes

Krishnendu Bhowmik, chief engineer of the north‑east division of the state irrigation department

Chief engineer of the state irrigation department

““Jalpaiguri district has recorded the highest number of erosion sites. The rivers which have caused erosion include the Diana near Changmari in Nagrakata, the Teesta near Morichbari in Kranti, the Jaldhaka at Bamandanga‑Tandu and Chintamari, and the Halimla river near Chunabhati‑Palashbari in Banarhat,””
telegraphindia.com
““Our engineers have conducted field inspections at all vulnerable locations to assess the extent of the damage and prepare erosion‑control plans. Some temporary measures have been taken, and the permanent anti‑erosion work will commence as soon as the river water levels decline.””
telegraphindia.com

Sources

Related news