Malda, Sept. 9 -- A high-powered state government team conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas of Malda on Wednesday following Chief Minister Subhendu Adhikari's instructions, as the situation in Manikchak and Ratua remained critical.

The team included Rajesh Sinha, Principal Secretary, Disaster Management and Irrigation & Waterways; Sanjay Singh, DG, Civil Defence; IG, North Bengal Sukesh Jain; District Magistrate Rajanvir Singh Kapoor; SP Anupam Singh and the Superintending Engineer of the Irrigation Department. The team surveyed Bhutni Diara and Kataha Diara in Ratua.

"We have held a meeting and reviewed the situation. All reports and assessments will be submitted to the state government. Compared with Bhutni, the situation in Ratua is relatively better. However, it will take some time for the overall situation to return to normal," Sinha said. Civil Defence DG Singh said his teams were ready for rescue operations, particularly medical teams where required.

DM Kapoor cautioned against breaching or flattening embankments to drain floodwater, saying any such decision must be taken carefully as diverting large volumes of water could worsen the situation. "The water level has not receded even after the embankment was flattened. We cannot do anything wrong," he said.

At South Chandipur, an embankment was flattened with an excavator on Tuesday. The breach widened to nearly 50-60 metres, sending floodwater towards the Fulhar. The situation in Bhutni remained unchanged as the Ganga continued to rise. More than 70 villages in Manikchak and Ratua have been affected. Medical teams have been deployed, while the Public Health Engineering Department is ensuring drinking water. Online classes for Classes IX to XII have also begun.

SP Singh said one person died after drowning, while another was hospitalised following a snake bite. Police rescued a pregnant woman experiencing labour pain and admitted her to hospital. Police stations at Bhutni and Mahananda Tola have been inundated, forcing operations to shift elsewhere, with boats deployed.

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