1 day ago
Malda Floods Worsen as Team Monitors Rescue Operations
Floodwaters have badly affected parts of Malda, especially Bhutni Diara.
The Ganga broke through part of a protective embankment.
Many people are leaving their homes by boat and waiting in safer, higher places.
The administration has hired more than 50 boats for rescues.
Nearly 2.5 lakh people need to be moved to safety.
Officials are giving special help to pregnant women, older people and sick patients.
Workers cut part of another embankment to help the water drain away.
However, officials say flooding could become much worse if the river rises to 26 metres.
Suvendu Adhikari formed a high-power team after a virtual meeting with north Bengal districts to monitor the flood situation.
Authorities were instructed to prioritize evacuating nearly 2.5 lakh stranded people, especially pregnant women, elderly residents and seriously ill patients.
The Ganga breached about one kilometre of Bhutni Diara’s 28-kilometre ring embankment, flooding the island area.
The river stood around 55 centimetres above the extreme danger level and was expected to possibly reach 26 metres.
An embankment section was flattened to help drain water, but irrigation officials warned the measure might provide only temporary relief.
- Who
- Suvendu Adhikari, district officials, rescue teams and residents of flood-affected areas are involved.
- What
- Severe flooding has hit Malda, prompting evacuation, rescue and relief operations.
- Where
- The worst conditions were reported in Bhutni Diara, including Uttar and Dakshin Chandipur in Malda’s Manikchak block.
- When
- The situation worsened on Tuesday after residents began fleeing by boat on Monday night.
- Why
- The Ganga breached the ring embankment, while the river continued rising because of water coming from upper catchment areas.
Support Embankment Cutting
Caution Over Embankment Cutting
Floodwater drainage
Support Embankment Cutting
Political parties including the Communist Party of India (Marxist), along with Manikchak MLA Gour Chandra Mandal, supported flattening part of the embankment to help drain floodwaters.
Caution Over Embankment Cutting
Senior irrigation officials said cutting the embankment might provide only temporary relief because the Ganga was still rising.
Risk of further inundation
Support Embankment Cutting
Supporters viewed the intervention as an immediate way to release water from the flooded area and aid residents.
Caution Over Embankment Cutting
Officials warned that if the river reaches 26 metres, a substantial portion of Bhutni Diara could still go underwater despite the intervention.
Key facts
- Affected population
- Nearly 2.5 lakh marooned people are being prioritized for evacuation.
- River level
- The Ganga was recorded at around 25.85 metres, about 55 centimetres above the 25.30-metre danger level.
- Potential river level
- Irrigation officials said the river could reach 26 metres.
- Embankment breach
- Around one kilometre of Bhutni Diara’s nearly 28-kilometre ring embankment was breached.
- Rescue boats
- More than 50 boats were hired for rescue and evacuation operations.
- Reported death
- Thirty-two-year-old Dwijen Mondal drowned while harvesting jute in a flooded field.
- Education response
- Primary education was directed to continue through virtual classes wherever possible.
Sources
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