RIVER EROSION

Torsa embankment breached in Tufanganj

 

COOCH BEHAR, July 24: An embankment of Torsa was breached at Balarampur in Tufanganj sub-division causing concern of the villagers of the area. The earthen embankment was constructed under soil conservation scheme.

 

The pradhan of Balarampur-I gram panchayat Mr Koushik Narayan said the embankment that was erected to save the villages nearby the Torsa from the erosion of the river got damaged due to overflowed river water. At Arampur village a large section of the embankment was washed away and the water of the river is now flowing through the village. At least 800 families turned helpless. The pradhan said he already conveyed the situation to the authorities concerned to initiate measures.

 

The BDO of Tufanganj-I Mr Saikat Das said protective work was started at the area to save the dyke from more damage.

 

It was learnt that at Soladanga too the embankment of Torsa was breached. The condition of the 3-kilometre embankment from Taptipara to Soladanga in Balarampur-I gram panchayat is alarming. Tosarkuthi village is also under threat.

 

On the otherhand, the swelling Torsa posed as danger at Salmara under Madhupur gram panchayat. The pradhan of the gram panchayat Mr Nirmal Kumar Karjee said the river washed away eleven dwellings of the village during the past five days. The homeless families took shelter on the Salmara-Nayarhat road under the open sky. The BDO of Cooch Behar-II was conveyed of the situation, he said.

 

When contacted, the officer-in-charge of the district disaster management cell, Mr Chiranjib Ghosh said the executive engineer of the Cooch Behar irrigation division was asked to assess the situation of the river erosion. Examining the reports protective measures and repairing of damaged embankments may be undertaken after receding of river water, he said. The BDO concerned is to take steps to help the villagers who were rendered homeless due to erosion, Mr Ghosh added. []

 

PHOTO : Erosion of the Torsa at Salmara in Cooch Behar-II block.