Rain triggers inundation, water-logging, erosion of river banks in Dooars, Malda

According to India Meteorological Department similar weather conditions are likely to continue for the next three-four days

The rain-drenched Malda town on Tuesday.: Picture by Soumya De Sarkar

TT Bureau   |   Siliguri   |   30.06.21: Incessant rain in north Bengal and Sikkim since Monday night led to inundation, water-logging and erosion of riverbanks, mainly in the Dooars and Malda district.

According to the India Meteorological Department, similar weather conditions are likely to continue for another three-four days.

“There is a forecast of steady rainfall in sub-Himalayan Bengal and the daily rainfall would range between 70mm to 200mm,” said a source at the IMD.

The downpour led to flash floods in Nagrakata and Dhupguri blocks of Jalpaiguri district on Tuesday.

The Sukhanijhora stream flowing through Sulkapara swelled in Nagrakata and flowed over a bridge in the morning. Around 500 families at Sukhanibusty, which is on the other side of the bridge, were isolated from the block headquarters.

The Hatinala stream flowing from Bhutan spilled over the banks and flooded different localities of Banarhat in the Dhupguri block. The water entered at least 2,000 houses in the afternoon. It, however, started receding in the evening when the downpour stopped for some time.

As the Ganga, Mahananda and Fulhar swelled in Malda district, erosion was reported from at least two blocks.

Minister of state for irrigation and waterways Sabina Yeasmin said officials of the Farakka Barrage Project Authority had been asked to carry out urgent anti-erosion works in Kaliachak 3 block.

Malda district magistrate Rajarshi Mitra said relief materials had been stocked in all blocks. “The rivers are flowing close to danger levels. Officers in various blocks are monitoring the situation. We are coordinating with them,” Mitra added.

Low-lying areas like Milanpally, Ashoknagar, Haidarpara, Hakimpara, Pradhan Nagar and Champasari in Siliguri were water-logged on Tuesday.

The Darjeeling district administration has identified 500 shelter points in case of evacuation of people following heavy rain and landslides.

“If any flood-like situation or landslide occurs, residents of the affected area will be shifted immediately to these centres. An emergency centre was also opened at the district magistrate’s office and we are monitoring the situation round the clock. Our officers are in touch with weather experts, irrigation department and agencies concerned to collect data,” said a district administration official.