Malda, Sept. 2 -- With rampant erosion along the Ganga threatening several areas of Malda, the district administration has suspended classes at nine primary schools in Manikchak and Ratua-I blocks. Officials and elected representatives visited erosion-hit areas on Tuesday to assess the situation and oversee relief and protection measures.

The decision followed concerns over schools being partially submerged or located dangerously close to the river. At West Ratanpur Primary School, six of its eight classrooms have already been washed away. The school had around 320 students. Nearby, Bhatta Kartiktola Primary School is barely 30 metres from the river, while its approach road has already been lost to erosion.

District Sub-Inspector of Schools (Primary) Maloy Mondal said several schools in the two blocks were in a dangerous condition with rising water levels in the Ganga and Fulhar.

Classes have been suspended at Bhatta Kartiktola, Amin Tola, Piaritola, Sukdev Tola and New Lutihar primary schools in Manikchak, and West Ratanpur, Jitutola, Maniramtola and Jiaramtola schools in Ratua-I. The education department is exploring nearby schools and government buildings to accommodate the affected students.

The crisis has also displaced families. Around 48 erosion-affected families from Khaskol Rabidas Para under English Bazar block are staying at a relief camp at Khaskol High School. Manikchak MLA Gour Chandra Mondal, accompanied by Additional District Magistrate Anindya Sarkar and other officials, inspected the area by boat and distributed relief materials. Mondal said several houses had been washed away, while some families had dismantled their homes and moved to the relief camp anticipating further erosion. He said affected families would eventually be rehabilitated in model villages equipped with houses, toilets and electricity.

The MLA also visited Kesharpur Colony, Kalutantola and West Ratanpur in Bhutni, where nearly 300 families have reportedly dismantled their homes and moved to safer locations. He directed officials to strengthen the existing ring embankment at Kesharpur Colony and construct another.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.