TEESTA alert for dooars

SNS, Siliguri, 12 July : The North Bengal Flood Control Commission (NBFCC) has primarily assessed the damage by flood and erosion on the banks of several rivers in Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar and Siliguri sub-division area. 

The chief engineer and NBFCC chairman, Mr Gangadhar De, said: “We have started estimating the cost of restoration of flood-damaged structures. Initially, we have estimated Rs 14-15 crore which is required for restoration and anti-erosion works. 

We have not yet completed estimation of many damaged parts, which are under water. The present estimated cost may go up.” 

According to the NBFCC, only Malbazar and Banarhat area in the Dooars received 102 mm and 49 mm rainfall in the past 24 hours. The irrigation department decided to continue with a yellow signal in Teesta to alert people living in these areas. The river Teesta is on the rise since 3 July. 

According to Mr De, the flood situation is improving in different areas, including Alipurduar in Jalpaiguri and Tufanganj in Cooch Behar, but the stagnated water has aggravated the problem of erosion as a result of which protection work along the banks are being hindered. The irrigation department has identified some vulnerable spots on the bank of Teesta at Kuchlibari and down stream of Haldibari area in Cooch Behar. 

Irrigation officials are also keeping a close eye on the right bank of the river, at the up stream of Teesta Bridge, in Jalpaiguri. The irrigation officials are also concerned about another vulnerable spot on the right bank of Teesta near Coronation Bridge at Sevoke in Darjeeling. 

The NBFCC chairman, Mr Gangadhar De, informed that rivers like Teesta, Torsa and others were changing its course due to huge silt deposits and formation of islets.