16 hrs ago
South Bengal Floods Kill Five as Waters Continue Rising
Heavy rain has caused serious flooding in parts of South Bengal.
Five people have died, and one person is still missing.
Two people died in an electrocution incident in Bolpur, while three died when houses collapsed in Bankura.
Water from several rivers has risen above dangerous levels.
The Damodar Valley Corporation released large amounts of water from two dams after heavy rain in Jharkhand.
Government teams are warning people near rivers to move away or prepare for flooding.
Rescue workers are searching for the missing person using speedboats.
Many homes, roads, and public places are underwater.
More rain is expected, so officials remain on high alert.
Five people have died in Birbhum and Bankura, while one person remains missing in Birbhum.
The Damodar Valley Corporation released 138,000 cusecs from the Maithon and Panchet dams after releasing 120,000 cusecs the previous night.
West Bengal authorities placed Bankura, East Burdwan, Hooghly, and Howrah on high alert and warned riverside residents.
Heavy rain has flooded homes, roads, rail links, and the Kankalitola Temple, while several rivers are above danger levels.
The India Meteorological Department forecast heavy to very heavy rain in Birbhum and East Burdwan over the next 24 hours.
- Who
- Residents of Birbhum, Bankura, and other parts of South Bengal; West Bengal authorities; the Damodar Valley Corporation; and National Disaster Response Force personnel.
- What
- Severe flooding has killed five people, left one missing, inundated homes and public infrastructure, and prompted emergency warnings and rescue operations.
- Where
- Across South Bengal, particularly Birbhum, Bankura, West Burdwan, Asansol, and Bolpur, with impacts also reported in East Burdwan, Hooghly, and Howrah.
- When
- The crisis intensified after heavy rain over the previous three days; the missing-person search was underway on Thursday, with more rain forecast over the next 24 hours.
- Why
- Torrential rainfall linked to a low-pressure system in neighboring Jharkhand led to high river levels and large water releases from dams and barrages.
Authorities' response
Residents' concerns
Flood management
Authorities' response
West Bengal officials and the Damodar Valley Corporation say they are monitoring conditions, warning residents, preparing rescue teams, and may revise dam discharge if weather improves.
Residents' concerns
Residents in Asansol North allege that the civic drainage system has collapsed, leaving water trapped in homes and cutting off parts of the Railpar area.
Water release
Authorities' response
The Damodar Valley Corporation attributes the large releases to heavy rainfall in Jharkhand and says discharge volumes can be reduced when weather conditions improve.
Residents' concerns
The releases have added to concerns in low-lying and riverbank communities, where rising water has inundated homes and disrupted transport.
Key facts
- Deaths
- Five people have died: two in an electrocution incident in Bolpur and three in house collapses in Bankura.
- Missing person
- One person is missing in Birbhum, and National Disaster Response Force personnel are searching by speedboat.
- Dam discharge
- The Damodar Valley Corporation released 138,000 cusecs from Maithon and Panchet after releasing 120,000 cusecs the previous night.
- High-alert districts
- Bankura, East Burdwan, Hooghly, and Howrah were placed on high alert.
- Rainfall
- Bolpur recorded 262 mm of rain in the previous 24 hours.
- River conditions
- The Kopai, Ajay, Mayurakshi, Shilabati, Gandheswari, and Kangshabati rivers were reported above danger levels.
- Forecast
- Heavy to very heavy rainfall was forecast for Birbhum and East Burdwan over the next 24 hours.
Sources
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