Kolkata, Oct 24: The Ministry of External Affairs has moved the Bhutan government for setting up an Indo-Bhutan Joint River Commission to take steps in preventing recurring floods in North Bengal, according to West Bengal Irrigation Minister Amalendralal Roy. "Since most rivers in North Bengal flow from Bhutan, it is not possible to take up a comprehensive flood prevention project without help from the Bhutanese government. We moved the centre for setting up an Indo-Bhutan River Commission. Now the MEA has taken up the matter with the Bhutan government," Roy told newsmen after a meeting with Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee. On the recurring floods at the Icchamati Basin in North 24-Parganas and some adjoining districts, he said that the Indo-Bangla River Commission had set up a joint study team which is visiting the headwater areas along the river both in Bangladesh and India to study the situation and recommend flood prevention measures. "Steps would be taken after the report is received," he said.



Bureau Report