West Bengal. West Bengal: The West Bengal Irrigation Department has issued an alert for the northern districts of the state after the Teesta river swelled after incessant rains wreaked havoc in the neighboring state of Sikkim. An official gave this information on Friday. He said that the water level of the Teesta river has increased due to the release of water from the barrages and due to this there is a danger of flood in the areas on both sides of the Teesta in Jalpaiguri district. Teesta is one of the major rivers of the state and Jalpaiguri district falls in the flood area of this river. A barrage has been built on the river at Gajoldoba in the district. Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts in the northern part of West Bengal border Sikkim, where landslides caused by rain on Thursday caused heavy destruction and six people died. “The water level of Teesta is rising due to the release of water from the barrage in Sikkim. Teesta is receding very fast and an alert has been issued in this regard. We have taken all precautionary measures. Leave of all officers has been cancelled,” the official told PTI. He said the Jalpaiguri district administration has used the public address system to urge residents living near Teesta to move to higher ground. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the river. “At many places, Teesta is almost entering the settlements. So much water is coming down from the mountain that it is not possible for the barrage to stop it. As a result, plain lands will be affected. Irrigation department officials have been sent for on-the-spot inspection,” he said. When contacted, an official of Jalpaiguri Sadar sub-division office said an alert has been sounded in all blocks. “Everything from boats to rescue equipment has been kept ready. Residents have been asked to move away from the river banks,” he said. He said a sub-divisional magistrate had visited Maynaguri on Thursday to review the flood situation of the Jaldhaka river. The administration was working to shift the villagers of Odlabari gram panchayat to a safer place, he said. In neighbouring Sikkim, at least six people were killed and over 1,500 tourists were stranded in Mangan district due to a massive landslide triggered by incessant rains on Thursday. A newly constructed Bailey bridge collapsed at Sangkalang, snapping connectivity between Mangan and Dzongu and Chungthang. The landslide blocked roads and several houses were inundated or damaged, while electricity poles were swept away.
Bengal: After the devastation caused by rain, the West Bengal Irrigation Department issued an alert for the districts of North Bengal
