Flood situation improves further in north Bengal

The flood situation in six north Bengal districts improved further today as waters receded following a decrease in rainfall in the past 24 hours.
The current spell of floods has claimed 49 lives in Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, Coochbehar, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur and Malda since July 21. Nearly 15 lakh people have been hit.
"We are constantly monitoring the situation in the six districts. The district magistrates are working 24x7 ... distributing relief material - dry food, cooked food, water pouches and medicines," an officer in the disaster management department said.
Medical officers are conducting regular check-ups to prevent the outbreak of any waterborne diseases, he added.

West Bengal Panchyat Minister Subrata Mukherjee said roads and pipelines for supplying drinking water have been badly damaged in the deluge.
"We are worried about the current situation in the six districts in north Bengal. We are very worried about the magnitude of damage to water pipelines and submersible pumps. Floods have destroyed many roads. The panchayat and rural department will conduct a survey to assess the damage," he said.