MONSOON ARRIVES

Rivers on rampage in Cooch Behar

Incessant downpour on Butan Hills has caused havoc in Cooch Behar. The rivers that came down from the hilly area have taken a dangerous role at villages under Tufanganj-I, Tufanganj-II, Cooch Behar-I and Mekhliganj blocks. The swelling rivers already breached several embankments. Numerous homeless people have been shifted to safer areas. The district administration is anxious of occurrence of high floods in this monsoon.

The Ridak river breached about 800-metre stretch of an embankment at Bholapara under Mahiskuchi gram panchayat in Tufanganj. More than five hundred distressed families were shifted from the area. 600-metre stretch of another embankment at Rampur and Falimari area was also breached. The condition of the embankment of Torsa at Maruganj is also alarming. The Torsa and Kaljani started fresh erosion of lands at Dawaguri. Already, the overflowing river has damaged the dyke made in 1985. The condition of Baxirkuthi village is also growing grave.

Additional district magistrate (development) of Cooch Behar Mr Pannalal Mahapatra said the block development officers of all the affected areas were asked to shift the residents of the concerned villages to safer areas.

In Mekhliganj, the rainwater from the Bhutan Hills has swelled the Tista. The alluvial lands on the banks of the river turned submerged and a large number of people got confined in the area. About 300 affected families have been shifted on yesterday evening but about 450 families are still to be rescued. Seven country boats flowed away by the river water. Vast cultivated area was damaged and many dwellings got damaged in that area.

Though the 'red' signal was withdrawn from the Tista at Mekhliganj last night, it is still 'yellow' as the water level is flowing over the danger mark. Moreover, 'yellow' signal have been flashed over the Raidak and the Kaljani in Tufanganj.

The annual district level flood preparatory meeting was held on Monday with officials of all concerned departments. It was decided there to run the Flood Control Room round the clock from 1 June. But, observing the alarming situation following the downpour that started from Monday night the control room came into effect since yesterday, the ADM (D) said.

Mr Mahapatra claimed that adequate relief materials were there in the district to meet any untoward situation. But, as there is a possibility of high floods during this monsoon more relief materials may be needed. The district administration has requested the state government to send additional relief materials and funds to meet the situation, the ADM (D) said. A few highlands have been identified to use as helipads during any situation of emergency. As Tufanganj is known as the major flood prone area more life jackets are to be kept ready there for rescue operations, Mr Mahapatra said. 

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