Flood-like situation claims 15 lives in West Bengal

The flood-like situation in West Bengal's southern districts claimed 15 lives with a fresh death reported today and destroyed more than 26,000 houses as the overall situation there remained serious with the prospect of release of more water by the DVC and the Durgapur barrage.

The district magistrates of Howrah, Hooghly, Burdwan and East Midnapore have been alerted by the DVC and Durgapur barrage authorities of possible discharge of water, Irrigation Minister Manas Bhunia said here today.

East Midnapore and West Midnapore districts faced an additional threat of release of water from the Kangsabati barrage as the district magistrates there have been so informed by the barrage authorities, Bhunia said after a review meeting. Bhunia said the state government has been able to reduce the quantum of discharge from the DVC to 95,000 cusec from the estimated 1,05,000 cusec and 1,37,000 cusec from Durgapur barrage against estimated 1,47,000 cusec.

Discharge from Kangsabati barrage has also been reduced to 30,000 cusec from the estimated 40,000 cusec, which might decrease gradually.

With the quantum of discharges from the DVC and Durgapur barrage decreasing gradually, the minister said the state government was ready to take steps against any difficult situation. Repair of breaches on the Damodar river embankments at five places in the Udaynarayanpur block of Howrah district have been undertaken by officials of the Irrigation Department, Bhunia said.

Chief Secretary Samar Ghosh said nearly 19 lakh people in 195 blocks and 57 municipalities in 14 districts have been affected.