Water, water, water everywhere

Flood fear in Cooch Behar

 

COOCH BEHAR, Aug. 29: Following heavy downpour on the upper catchments and also on the plains the water levels of three major rivers of the region crossed danger marks today. Water levels of other rivers are also showing an upward tendency.

 

In Mekhliganj, the Tista crossed the Red danger level. Red signal was flashed upto Bangladesh border. At Hasimara, Red danger signal was flashed on the Torsa. Yellow signal was flashed along the unprotected areas on the banks of the Mansai in Mathabhanga.

 

As the water levels of the rivers are increasing, the authorities alerted all the SDOs and the BDOs to keep constant watch on the situation. They were asked to get themselves ready to face any untoward situation if flood occurre.

 

Today, heavy downpour during the day disrupted normal life in Cooch Behar. Streets and a large number of dwellings in the lower areas in the town got waterlogged. Curious citizens gathered on the embankment of the Torsa to get a glance of the heavy water flow along the river. As this dyke is the sole saviour of this heritage town many aggrieved citizens were found criticising the authorities for their indifference in maintaining the dyke since its construction in 1952. []

 

Left warning

 

COOCH BEHAR, Aug. 29: The Left Front run gram panchayats in Cooch Behar district will not disburse shelters under the Indira Awas Yojana till removal of all errors in the BPL list. Today, submitting a memorandum to the district magistrate the leaders of the Left Front made it clear that they were not ready to shoulder the blame related to the incorrect BPL list. The Left Front leadership did it following a decision adopted at the LF meeting.

 

District LF sources said, as the BPL list was erroneous the actual poor people were not getting the benefit of the Indira Awas Yojana. This cannot go forever. Till preparing of a faultless BPL list the LF run gram panchayats will not engage themselves in implementing the IAY scheme, they warned. []