Riverbank erosion engulfs 400 houses in West Bengal's Malda

The gushing waters of the Ganga have already engulfed 400 dwellings in Malda and are threatening to surround temples, mosques and business establishments along its banks.

Malda:The river knows no bounds. The gushing waters of the Ganga have already engulfed 400 dwellings in Malda and are threatening to surround temples, mosques and business establishments along its banks. The only girls' school in Kaliachak block is precariously hanging on the river bank awaiting its ultimate fate. The district administration has no clue on how to tackle river erosion.

The villagers of Sarkartola, Mahendratol and Bhimagram under Number 1 village panchayat in Kaliachak Block 3 are really tense these days. No one knows when the gushing waters encircle them. Their only appeal to the district administration is to provide alternative shelter arrangements.

However, they allege that the administrative officers are yet to even come to the area and meet them. Hence they were unable to register their grievances with the authorities. However, officials of the block administration claim that they are keeping a watch on the entire situation. According to them, administrative measures are in place and the good thing is that water level in Ganges is gradually receding. However, the people of the locality know from their past experience that riverbank erosion becomes maximum during the high tide and low tide.

That was exactly what happened on last Sunday. As the erosion was maximum when the water level recedes, throughout the day there have been several rounds of erosion up to a height of 24.30 meters. The gushing waters have already engulfed around 400 houses in Sarkartola and Mahendratola areas. The three-storey school building might be washed away at any time.

Last Sunday, the gushing river water played havoc first at Sarkartola for five hours since the morning. After that, the people of Bhimagram also became victims of that havoc. In Bhimagram, around 70 houses were destroyed. Now, the people have voluntarily started breaking down their houses on the river banks. However, they are unaware of where to shift the debris. For the time being, they have kept it a nearby place.

Safiqul Alam, a resident said, "The situation is really alarming. The girls' school is at the river bank and the gushing water has not spared this building also. The washroom of the school has already been flooded We are trying to recover the furniture and other equipment from the school. Last night, the administration cautioned us."

"At Mahendratola at least 400 houses have been surrounded by the river water. Many of the residents were unable to carry out anything from their residences. The erosion is still continuing. There is no way that we can save the school. If the erosion continues at this rate it will flood the local market also. The officer-in-charge of Baishnabnagar Police station only came to the locality. The state government must initiate action to curtail river erosion. Bolder piling seems to be the only option left," he said.

Sufolchandra Mondal, a local resident, said that the Union government should fulfil its responsibility in arresting the erosion. "The Farakka Barrage Project is responsible for all this mess. The raising waters have engulfed around 10 kilometres of land so far. The only way to resolve this issue is by setting up concrete walls at the banks. Yesterday more than 159 houses were surrounded by water. There is no rehabilitation and not even provision for tarpaulins and polythene," said Mondal.

A total of 30 families have taken shelter at Beernagar Girls High School, which might be engulfed by the waters anytime. These 30 families have taken shelter here since 2016. Although the waters have surrounded a section of the school, these families have refused to vacate.

Shankar Mondal, who is living in the school, expressed anguish against the administration. "We have been here for the last five years. We did not receive any administrative help. In 2016, the river waters engulfed around 83 houses. Eighteen of them did not receive any rehabilitation. Although the government has registered land in my name, I am yet to receive it. I have approached the BDO and the BLLRO. But nothing worked out so far. I do not know where to go unless I get possession of land. So I took shelter in this school building so not ready to vacate," he said.

However, the BDO of Kaliachak Block 3, Mamun Akhtar said he had examined the situation at Sarkartola. "We are trying to prepare the list of the people who are suffering as well as trying to estimate the loss because of the erosion. Already, we have informed our higher ups," he added.