Irrigation dept launches app for flood warning & water level info

Kolkata: In a significant step to issue early flood warning and monitor the water levels of different rivers, the state Irrigation department has recently launched a mobile app. The move is proving beneficial to the people, with monsoon in full swing in the state.

The West Bengal Flood Alert mobile app has three primary functions. It will primarily provide a forecast about the areas that can receive "heavy to very heavy rainfall". Secondly, it will act as an indicator for the water levels of various rivers in North Bengal and lastly, will provide an alert on the rivers crossing danger levels.

"The people will be able to get the forecast of rainfall and the amount of rain expected to take place and most importantly, people residing close to rivers will have an idea about the situation," said an official of the state Irrigation department.

The app will constantly monitor the water levels of different rivers measured by the various river gauge stations established throughout Bengal. Whenever a river flows above 'Danger' and 'Extreme Danger' levels, warning messages will be seen on the app.

The app will also provide warning messages whenever a discharge of more than 25,000 cusecs of water passes through any of the barrages or dams on the rivers flowing through the districts.

The app also gives the list of rain gauge stations where rainfall is at or above heavy rainfall amount, as per the nomenclature of the Indian Meteorological Department.

It may be mentioned that the department has also decided to come up with a WhatsApp group with the senior officials, chief engineer and executive engineers.

All the Irrigation department officials working in the flood-prone districts have been included in this group and have been directed to post relevant rainfall and flood related information, along with pictures, in this group. The senior officials may give necessary directives through the WhatsApp group, as and when required.