Malda, 13 August (H.S.)

Continuous rains have caused a recently constructed embankment in South Chandipur, Bhutni (Manikchak block) to collapse, flooding the protected area and putting over 1.5 lakh residents in fear of losing their homes and livelihoods.

According to local sources, this dam was built a few months ago at a cost of ₹1 crore 35 lakh. But that money was wasted. The dam built two months ago broke due to strong currents.

After this incident, more than 1.5 lakh people living in the area are now counting their days in fear of losing everything.

The villagers have accused the administration and public representatives of corruption. Notably, last year also, a terrible flood situation had arisen in this area of Bhutni due to the dam breaking. The entire Bhutni area was submerged in water for almost two months in the floods that came in two phases. Then during the dry season, the Malda District Irrigation Department had allocated ₹1 crore 35 lakh to build a new dam in place of the dam built in South Chandipur of Bhutni. But the dam broke. Though the irrigation department tried to stop the water by throwing sand bags, it was of no use. It is feared that the water will wash away the areas of Uttar Chandipur and Hiranandpur gram panchayats.

Trinamool MLA from Manikchak Savitri Mitra said, “We had closed the embankment with sand bags. In the darkness of the night, people from CPM and BJP removed these bags to gain political mileage. That is why this situation exists. Everything was done properly.”

CPIM leader Divya Jyoti Mishra said, “Savitri Mitra has created this situation. Will the dam work be done for Rs 1 crore? Manas Bhuiyan had said he would build a lock gate.”

Former Malda Zila Parishad president Gaur Chandra Mandal said, “The dam at Bhootni has been breached. It was inaugurated with drums and dhaaks. All the engineers who are standing there are thieves.”

Executive Engineer Shivanath Ganguly said, “We are trying to fix everything.” Sadar SDO Pankaj Tamang said, The situation is terrible. I am watching everything. I have informed the DM. I have also told the irrigation department.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey