Six dead, thousands affected as Bengal stare at flood

Kolkata, July 12 (UNI) The state is staring at a flood like situation once again, with six lives already lost, as several rivers are over flowing in different parts following heavy rains over the last 72 hours.

According to reports, the situation has worsened in some parts of South Bengal districts of Birbhum and Burdwan where five rivers are overflowing and have inundated several villages in different blocks.

In Birbhum district, more than 60 villages in Labhur, Nalhat, Md Bazar and Mayureswar blocks have been submerged. Around 20 villages in Labhpur were innundated following three days of downpour that caused river Kuey to overflow.

A man was swept away by flood water here. Swapan Thakur drowned following overflowing of the rain-fed Kopai river. Three villages in this block and 10 villages in Ilambazar have also been affected by the rising water.

In Nalhati, about seven villages were inundated by the swelling Brahmanim which claimed one life near Kolitha village. Yesterday, one Tubhas Sk(37), died after he fell into the Brahmani near Basoa- Bistupur village in Nalhati Block-I.

In Md Bazar, 12 villages were severely affected after the river Kuley and Dwaraka inundated the banks. The rising Mayurakshi South Cana affected 11 villages in the Mayureswar block.

In Khoirasol block, four villages were affected by river Hinglo.

The body of an unidentified man with a motorcycle was found in Khoirasol yesterday near the Hingloi Bridge.

Sub-Divisional Officer of Bolpur Tarun Kanti Singha Roy said a team had been sent to take stock of the situation.
Though rain has abated across Burdwan district in the last 24 hours, rivers continue to flow dangerously. More than 30,000 people are said to be affected by inundation. The Mongolkote, Keturam and Katwa-2 blocks and some parts of Asansol and Ranigunj were the worst hit. The downpour has damaged many houses and affected road links.

The district recorded three casualties -- in Laudoha, Katwa and Durgapur.

A resident of Laudoha, about 20 km from Durgapur town, was washed away when he tried to cross the turbulent Ajoy. In Katwa a middle- aged woman died after being electrocuted after stepping out of her inundated hut. Another woman died in Durgapur when a wall collapsed crushing her.

About 2.5 lakh people have been affected in Murshidabad's Kandi, Bharatpur, Ghargram and Salar villages following incessant rain for the past two days.

Judicial Magistrate Subir Bhadra said 21 sluice gates of the Messanjore Dam have been opened. He said all the district administrators have been alerted following rise in water level in the rivers.

The sources said Bodhora Dam in Rampurhat had released 70,000 cusec of water and till yesterday. The Massanjore dam had released 60,000 cusec and was expected to release a little over one lakh cusec last night, sources added.

UNI