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North, south Bengal reel under floods

Rifat Jawaid in Calcutta

North and south Bengal are reeling under floods following incessant rain since Monday evening. The worst affected districts are Murshidabad, Nadia, Birbhoom and Bardwan. All major rivers in the state are reported to be flowing over the danger mark, inundating surrounding areas.

While Nadia has had 300 ml of rainfall in 18 hours, Burdwan, Birbhoom and Murshidabad have recorded 250 ml, 450 ml and 200 ml rainfall respectively. In Murshibad, over 75 lakh people have been displaced. The floods have severely damaged roads at various places, severing links between the north and south. Telephone services in these areas have also broken down.

Nadia district magistrate Vivek Bharadwaj told rediff.com that the levels of the Bhagirathi and Jalangi had crossed the danger mark, rendering thousands homeless. "Churni too is rising at an alarming pace and will be crossing the danger level by Tuesday evening. The situation is expected to worsen as there is little chances of rain stopping before Wednesday. Though we are unable to determine the exact number of those affected, it could well run into thousands. Our first priority is to evacuate as many people as possible," Bharadwaj added.

He maintained that the administration would not seek the army's help.

Burdwan district magistrate Swamy Singh said that Katua was the worst affected as a result of inundation. National highway 34, near Dhulian, is under water, blocking the movement of vehicles.

He appeared satisfied with evacuation work by his administration. According to him, schools and colleges in the district have been closed indefinitely.

In July, the district had experienced a flood-like situation, when more than 50,000 people had been rendered homeless.

The Met department has forecast rain for another day due to a depression in the Bay of Bengal.

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