Heavy rainfall likely in NB; Flood situation under control

SNS, Siliguri, 18 August 2014: The North Bengal Flood Control Commission (NBFCC) today said the sub-Himalayan region is likely to receive heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours, but that there was no need to worry about flooding in northern north Bengal.

“The situation is now under control. Weather officials have forecast heavy rainfall in this region. There is no need to worry because rivers have a lot of capacity and can receive local rainwater. We are hoping that the situation will be normal as the depression is gradually disappearing,” NBFCC chairman and chief engineer Gautam Datta said.

Asked to comment on how Mother Nature would make up for the shortfall of rain so far, Mr Datta said: “Mother Nature has started making up for the shortfall and it will continue till 15 October, while floods are likely within the two months in between.  We have started repairing embankments in three areas damaged in the recent rains.   Engineers have been alerted and asked to take precautionary and palliative measures to control flooding.”

NBFCC officials are however, having problems in taking up flood control measures in rivers, which are connected with Bhutan, and also in alerting people, owing to lack of prior information of rainfall in the catchment areas.

“Though we are facing difficulties in receiving prior information about rainfall in Bhutan, we are managing the situation based on the information we get from the Central Water Commission (CWC),” Mr Datta said.

“No one can forecast nature’s behavior, the rainfall and the flood exactly, but we are preparing to face any situation,” he added.