Malda, Sept 10: Many villages of Malda district have been submerged by the flood waters of Ganga, Fulohar and Koshi rivers, affecting about 65,000 people, district officials said here today. Fulohar and Koshi rivers alone have caused floods in 20 villages of Mahanandatola and Bilaimari gram panchayats in Ratna one block while the situation continued to be grim in Manikchak Block due to Ganga which is in spate, they said.

Two villages Hatinagar and Mahabatpur under Kaliachak block have been submerged by backwaters from the Bangladeshi side, the district officials said, adding that red alert has been sounded in the unprotected areas of Fulohar. Paddy fields, roads and large tracts of land are under water and boats have turned to be the only mode of transport in the flood-hit areas, they said, cautioning that the Ganga was expected to rise further by 50 cm on Sunday next due to incessant rains in its catchment areas.

Ganga was currently flowing at 25.58 meters in Malda district, they said.

Bureau Report