Malda, Sept. 27 -- A joint team of experts from IIT Kanpur and IIT Kharagpur on Saturday inspected the flood- and erosion-prone areas of Ratua and Bhutni in Malda to find a permanent solution to the region's long-standing river erosion and flooding problems.
The experts travelled by launch from Suryapur Ghat in Kahala gram panchayat of Ratua-I and inspected vulnerable stretches along the Ganga and Fulahar rivers. They covered erosion-prone areas of Mahanandatola and Bilaimari gram panchayats before travelling towards West Ratanpur in Mahanandatola and subsequently visiting several vulnerable locations in Bhutni under Manikchak block.
Officials of the Irrigation and Waterways Department accompanied the expert team during the field inspection. The survey findings and subsequent report are expected to form the basis of an action plan for tackling river erosion and recurring floods in the district.
The visit comes against the backdrop of the latest devastating flood in Malda. Rising water levels of the Ganga had inundated large parts of Bhutni, Ratua-I and Kaliachak-III. Bhutni and Ratua-I were among the worst affected areas, with hundreds of villages facing inundation and residents forced to depend on boats and relief assistance. In Ratua-I, water entered around 45 villages and affected health infrastructure.
Bhutni has faced repeated flooding caused by breaches in vulnerable embankments. On September 3, a breach at Kalutantola inundated large parts of the area.
The fact that Bhutni has witnessed embankment breaches and flood conditions for three consecutive years has made the stretch a particular focus of the latest expert inspection.
The state government has announced an allocation of Rs 3,600 crore for addressing river erosion in Malda and Murshidabad, with around Rs 1,100 crore reportedly earmarked for erosion-control work in Malda. Manikchak MLA Gour Chandra Mondal said: "The IIT Kanpur expert team has arrived following the advice of our Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. They have inspected the affected areas so that the people of Bhutni do not remain trapped by floods.
Rs 3,600 crore has already been allocated for erosion-control work. We hope the problem will be resolved soon."
Minister of State for Irrigation and Waterways Joyel Murmu said: "After the expert team's inspection, there will be a video conference on Sunday. Once the water recedes, work will begin according to their recommendations. We want a permanent solution."
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.