In West Bengal’s Malda, the river Ganga has flooded about 12 villages on the Bhutni islet in Manikchak Block, causing problems for about 12,000 people residing nearby. It is a similar situation in Ratua 1, a neighbouring block of Manikchak. The situation is such that the District Magistrate, Nitin Singhania reached Manikchak to lead the rescue and relief operations. Amid this, a culvert (a small tunnel) has reportedly collapsed in the Kartiknagar area of Bhutni.
In Manikchak block of Malda, in Bhutni’s Kartiknagar, a culvert collapsed recently. Unfortunately, it was at the same moment a motorcyclist was crossing it and before he could make it to the other side, the entire culvert collapsed. This led to the motorcyclist and his bike getting swept away by the water. This incident was captured on a local’s mobile phone and the video is doing the rounds of the internet. However, the motorcyclist narrowly escaped death due to the timely intervention of the locals who saved him quickly from the water. The bike could not be saved.
For the past two days, water from the Ganga River has been flooding various areas of Bhutni due to an embankment breach. On the fateful day, the deluge was flowing from under the culvert in Kartiknagar. The collapse of the culvert has caused a sense of panic among the residents because it was their only means of commute which broke down.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, a breach of embankment led to flooding of Kesharpur, Kalutontola, Ratanpur, Chama and Maniknagar villages. On Monday, it flooded other villages like Bhubantola, Boro Karkatitola, Ashoknagar Colony, Champanagar, Jilabditola, Kashimnagar and Rahatpur.
As per the District Magistrate, Nitin Singhania, at least 300 families have been relocated to safer places and provided with relief materials. He has also arranged for electricity for these displaced families. Under these circumstances, 11 flood shelters have been opened and about 1,200 families have been shifted to safer places. Six health camps have also been set up.
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