1 week ago
Ganga Erosion Threatens Villages and School in Bengal’s Malda
The Ganga River is wearing away land in parts of Malda.
Some families have already lost their homes and farmland.
A primary school in West Ratanpur is now close to the river.
Local residents are worried that more land could disappear.
They asked the MLA for safety work, relief, drinking water and toilets.
The MLA said workers were trying to protect Bhutni quickly.
He also promised permanent erosion-control work during the dry season.
The river is above its danger level, and the water level is slowly rising.
Experts and residents fear flooding if embankments or other protections break.
Erosion along the Ganga has intensified in several parts of Malda district.
Manikchak MLA Gour Chandra Mondal inspected affected areas with irrigation officials.
Families have lost homes and farmland, while a primary school faces potential danger.
Residents demanded erosion control, relief supplies, drinking water and toilets.
The Ganga is above danger level, with the Farakka Barrage releasing about 10 lakh cusecs of water.
- Who
- Residents, Manikchak MLA Gour Chandra Mondal, district irrigation officials, river experts and irrigation engineers.
- What
- Ganga-bank erosion is damaging homes and farmland and threatening a primary school, with possible flooding if protections fail.
- Where
- Keshpur, Kalutantola and Basantatola in Bhutni, and West Ratanpur in Ratua-I block of Malda district, West Bengal.
- When
- The MLA inspected the affected areas on Tuesday; the threat is expected to continue through September.
- Why
- Erosion has intensified while the Ganga remains above the danger mark and its water level continues to rise.
Official Response
Residents’ and Experts’ Concerns
Immediate protection
Official Response
MLA Gour Chandra Mondal said work was being carried out on a “war footing” and that Bhutni would not be allowed to be inundated this year.
Residents’ and Experts’ Concerns
Residents fear for their homes, land and safety and are demanding immediate erosion-control measures.
Long-term solution
Official Response
Mondal said permanent measures would be taken during the dry season with assistance from the Central government, with efforts to resolve the problem from next year.
Residents’ and Experts’ Concerns
River experts, irrigation engineers and residents warn that flooding could occur if embankments and other river-protection structures are breached.
Local needs
Official Response
The administration’s stated focus is on preventing inundation and carrying out protection work in vulnerable areas.
Residents’ and Experts’ Concerns
Affected residents also sought adequate relief supplies, tube wells for drinking water and toilets.
Key facts
- Affected district
- Malda, in north Bengal
- Inspected locations
- Keshpur, Kalutantola, Basantatola and West Ratanpur
- Damage reported
- Families have lost houses and agricultural land
- School risk
- Erosion has reached close to a primary school in West Ratanpur
- Ganga level
- Above the danger mark and slowly rising
- Farakka Barrage discharge
- Around 10 lakh cusecs of water
- Expected duration
- The threat is expected to persist through September
Quotes
Gour Chandra Mondal
Manikchak MLA who inspected erosion-affected areas in Malda
“We will not allow Bhutni to be submerged in floodwaters this year. Work is already under way on a war footing. During the dry season, permanent measures will be taken with the help of the Central government.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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