Flood situation in parts of Bengal still alarming

The flood situation in parts of northern West Bengal continued to be "alarming" despite a let up in the incessant rains as many rivers in the area were still flowing well above the danger level, the state government said here on Wednesday.

Twelve deaths were reported till Tuesday in the region due to the floods.

"The flood situation in South Dinajpur district is alarming. The water level in Atrayi river in the district is still on the rise. We are facing some issues in supplying relief materials as the road and rail connectivity are cut off since the last two-three days," state Irrigation Minister Rajib Banerjee said.

Officials in the state Irrigation and Waterways Department said the situation has also worsened in parts of Malda and North Dinajpur districts.

The Minister, who toured some of the affected areas of South Dinajpur duing the day, said efforts were on to send relief materials through waterways.

"Relief boats with food and tarpaulin sheets have been deployed. We are expecting the relief to reach the flood affected areas within the next few hours," Banerjee said.

The traffic was thrown out of gear in south Dinajpur district headquarters Balurghat as the streets went under knee-deep water since Tuesday night. Raiganj, a prominent city and municipality in North Dinajpur district, has been also inundated.

Apart from Atrayi, river Punarbhaba was also in spate.

"Punarbhaba in Gangarampur is flowing well above the extreme danger level. As a result the nearby localities and villages in the region have been inundated," an Irrigation and Waterways Department official told IANS over phone.

In North Dinajpur district, vast areas including headquarters Raiganj were under knee-deep water with river Teests flowing above the extreme danger level.

"Kaljani river in Alipurduar district and Kuhar river in Malda are flowing above the extreme danger level. But the water level is expected to go down in Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar districts as the rainfall in the region has stopped," he added.

The railway service in north Bengal and northeast India remained suspended even on Wednesday as the flood waters were flowing over the railway tracks at several places.

Several trains from Howrah, Sealdah and Kolkata railway stations to north Bengal including Uttarbanga Express, Kanchankanya Express, and trains to Assam's Dibrugah have been cancelled.

--IANS

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