Floods worsen after embankment breaks in West Bengal

Darjeeling, July 19 (ANI): Flood situation in West Bengal deteriorated on Thursday as heavy downpour breached embankment, flooding several villages and towns.

Several villages near Siliguri under Darjeeling district were flooded when the Mahananda River embankment broke again after heavy showers, bringing the road communication to standstill.

The Sub-Divisional Officer, Bhivhav Srivastav, said the water level of Mahananda River had crossed the danger-level and rescue operations are in full swing.

"The flood situation is alarming and water levels have risen. The river is changing its flow. The local administration and policemen are taking adequate measures to control the situation." Srivastav said.

Soldiers and rescue workers from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed for rescue and relief efforts.

"For the rescue operations, rescue relief team of civil defence has reached the spot and the NDRF will report within an hour. We have also arranged five buses through which we will take people to safe places," he said.

Reportedly, floods in Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling and Cooch Behar have affected more than 80,000 people, drowning vast stretches of agricultural lands and rendered hundreds of families, homeless.

The monsoon this year has caused heavy floods in eastern and northeastern parts of the country like West Bengal, Assam, claiming several lives and causing extensive damage to property. (ANI)