Water-level rises in Kulick River, villagers live in constant fear of flood

Raiganj: Residents living in the villages near Kulick River in Raiganj, North Dinajpur are spending sleepless nights as the water level of the river has started to rise in the last three days.

Heavy rainfall for the last few days has resulted in the Kulick River being in spate.

IMD forecast is of heavy rainfall in North Bengal districts in the next forty-eight hours. If there is heavy rainfall, the river water will inundate the villages of Abdulghata, West Milanpara, Shaktinagar and Kantore. The embankment of Kulick River has been damaged in many places with gaps appearing.

Heavy rainfall in Bangladesh also causes the rise in water levels of the Kulick River causing inundation of villages. The Kahalai River of Bangladesh meets the Kulick at Bishnupur near the Indo-Bangladesh border. After heavy rainfall in Bangladesh, water comes into the Kulick through the Kahalai River. Flood-like situation is created in the villages at the bank of Kulick too.

A resident of Paschim Milanpara Ramkumar Singh said: “If there is heavy rainfall in the next two or three days, then the river water may inundate our village. We then take shelter at the dam. In 2017 our village was inundated by the river water. Property was extensively damaged.”

Rekha Paswan of Abdulghata said: “Recently Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri and Cooch Bihar districts were flooded. The ditch-like holes on the embankment have been temporarily repaired with sandbags. However, if the level and force of water increases the sandbags will not be able to hold up and there will be a flood.”

SDO Raiganj Kingshuk Maity said: “We have a report that water is rising in Kulick River. We are keeping a close watch on the situation. Our Civil defence teams are ready with speed boats. The flood rescue centres in different blocks are ready for occupancy if the need arises. The irrigation officials have been told to keep a close watch on the embankment.”