Floodwaters cause havoc in W.Bengal, Gujarat

Kolkata/ Talala (Gujarat), July 22 (ANI): Floodwaters disrupted normal life in W.Bengal and Gujarat.

Almost half of the Jalpaiguri District in the West-Bengal is flooded.

Rains have caused havoc in North-Bengal, Sikkim, and Bhutan, leading to overflowing rivers and rivulets of North-Bengal.

A vast area of Alipurduar subdivision of Jalpaiguri district and Kalchini block is now under water.

A bridge on the river of Kalchini block has also been washed out, partly due to the flood.

Chnapara, Vatpara etc area of Doars are badly affected though no death has been reported.

Authorities said that the Civil Defense volunteers, local people and the Government officials are busy with rescue operations.

"All the blocks of Jalpaiguri are water-logged. We got no intimation of leakage or cracks in the embankments of the rivers. There is no shortage of relief materials. Civil defence workers are helping people in the affected areas and the municipal and local people are also helping in the rescue work," said Mr. Naba Kr.Barman, Sub-Divisional-Officer (SDO).

The locals assume that this sudden mad rush of water is contrary to the nature of hill rivers and they suspect that possibly a huge quantity of water has been released from barrage from the other side of the border.

"We believe that this sudden flash water can come from Bhutan's Chukha project as it is quite an unnatural attitude of hill- rivers. It is only possible when a barrage discharges lot of water. The India Bhutan water commission should inform us about this release of water beforehand, which is never done by them," said Gnaesh Mahyali, a flood victim.

Heavy rain has also been reported from all across Gujarat.

Areas like Kodinar and Talala have received as much as 350 millimeter of rainfall in the past 24 hours till Wednesday evening.

Schools and colleges remained closed due to heavy rains.

"The rain is adversely affecting the life in Talala as there is no electricity supply and no availability of food items as well," said Praveen Bhai, a local.

Following flash flood in Hiran river in Talala, water was flowing seven feet high on a bridge, turning the adjoining areas into a virtual island and disconnected from any possible help.

Meteorological department has predicted more heavy showers in the next 72 hours. By Ajitha Menon / Uday Adharvayu (ANI)