Flood situation in Cooch Behar

 

COOCH BEHAR, Sept. 5: Following incessant downpour at the catchment areas and on the plains for the last few days the water levels of all the major rivers flowing through Cooch Behar district are on the rise. Water level of Mansai crossed danger mark in Mathabhanga. Yellow signal was imposed on Mansai along the unprotected areas beginning from Mathabhanga upto Indo-Bangladesh border. The water level is rapidly increasing towards Red level. Yellow signal was also posted on Raidak-I river in Tufanganj, Torsa in Cooch Behar and Teesta in Mekhliganj. The water levels of other rivers in Cooch Behar are still below the danger mark. But the situation may turn worse if the rain continues.

 

Meanwhile, the Teesta is trying to change its course in Mekhliganj sub-division. The overflowed river washed away about 30-metre stretch of an embankment at Kuchlibari.  State food and supply minister Mr Paresh Adhikary visited the area today with officials concerned and instructed starting of anti-erosion work to resist the river from approaching towards the village. He also asked officials to start rescue and relief operations. Sandbags and boulders are being used to stop erosion. The people of adjacent areas were alerted of the situation. Yellow signal was flashed over the river from Domohini of Jalpaiguri to Indo-Bangladesh border. Floodwater of Teesta submerged 25-Nijtaraf village and sandbank areas of Teesta Payasthi. Already eight hundred families were rescued from the affected areas and shifted to safer places. The officials of irrigation division and sub-divisional administration camped on the embankment of Teesta today to keep watch on the inflated Teesta.  

 

Visiting the affected area state food and supply minister Mr Paresh Adhikary said the swelled Teesta is trying to change its existing course. In that case two villages – Andaran Kuchlibari and Tista Payathi - may wash out forever. He assured that there would be no dearth of relief materials.

 

District Flood Control Room sources said that Cooch Behar recorded 124-mm rainfall in the past 24 hours. It is 2331.05-mm in this season. The rainfall in Tufanganj and Mathabhanga during the past 24 hours was recorded as 81.80-mm and 42.40-mm. Fresh erosion started at Saldanga, Ghonapara and other villages in Tufanganj, local sources said. []

 

Teachers' Day

 

COOCH BEHAR, Sept. 5: Joint Council of School Teachers and Employees observed the Teachers' Day in Cooch Behar today. They organised a convention on education at Maharaja Nripendra Narayan High School. District Teachers Welfare Committee too observed the Day at the conference hall of Cooch Behar Zilla Parishad today. []