INDIA
So far eight people have been reported killed and several are missing following the flash flood in Mal river at Malbazar in Jalpaiguri district.
Late on Wednesday evening on the occasion of Dussehra, the plains in the Terai and Dooars regions in the northern part of West Bengal witnessed a tragedy because of a sudden flash flood.
So far eight people have been reported killed and several are missing following the flash flood in Mal river at Malbazar in Jalpaiguri district in north West Bengal.
During the last few years, the small and shallow rivers in the plains of north Bengal have witnessed several incidences of such sudden flash floods, which according to experts, is something unique. However, Wednesday's tragedy has resulted in the resurrection of certain questions.
Is this changing trend of frequent flash floods in the small and shallow rivers in north Bengal just a quirk of nature? Or is this basically a human-invited calamity resulting from abuse of nature like mass deforestation in the region and forceful diversion of river-flows through use of stone-bounders or sand embankments? IANS spoke to environmental experts and specialists on the changing behaviour of such rivers in north Bengal.
Environment activist and founder-secretary Jalpaiguri Science & Nature Club, Dr Raja Raut has been studying this trend for quite some time. Speaking to IANS, he said that for the sake of tourism and other trade related activities, there has been massive deforestation and illegal cutting down of the trees in the region.
"Water from rivers and springs flowing down from the hills of north Bengal, Sikkim and Bhutan is the main reason for the flash floods in the rivers in the plains of north Bengal. Now forest trees have the natural strength to control the speed of the flowing water. Because of the massive deforestation the speed of the water flow remains uncontrolled. Secondly, because of the massive deforestation the land connecting the rivers in plains is fast losing its capacity to absorb the flowing water. So, this is the first and primary reason why flash floods have become so common in the rivers in the plains of north Bengal," Raut said.
Forest minister Jyotipriyo Mullick admitted that cutting down of trees is a problem not just in the forest areas of north Bengal but also elsewhere in the state. "We have already taken some measures to control this menace. Now we are going a step further. Even cutting down privately owned trees adjacent to the scheduled forest areas will require prior permission of the forest department. Any deviation on this count will attract major legal action including penalty," he said.
Another reason, according to Raja Raut, is the frequent diversion of the water flow of these rivers through the use of stone-bounders or sand embankments. "This can be dangerous unless done with proper homework. Indiscriminate change in the river water flow can lead to a major mishap, which is exactly what happened on Wednesday leading to the loss of so many lives," he said.
Another expert Partha Pratim Biswas feels that diversion of the river water flow has to be done keeping in mind a number of aspects. "First is to identify the exact places where the boulders for diversion would be used. Second, the diversion should be avoided as far as possible when there is a forecast of heavy rain that will result in the fast flow of water from the uphill rivers or streams. During the rains these otherwise shallow and small rivers take a critical shape. In this case the forecast was there and still diversion was done to facilitate immersion. The diversion was done in a totally unscientific manner that ultimately led into the mishap," he stated.
Despite claiming that a fact-finding committee might be formed to look into allegations of illegal diversion of the river flow, Jalpaiguri district magistrate Moumita Godara Basu said that she has no information about such illegal diversion. "The Mal river is extremely shallow and probably some channels were dug for the purpose of water ponding to facilitate idol immersion. Still, if necessary, a fact-finding committee might be formed with experts in the related field," she said.
State BJP leaders, especially the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal assembly Suvendu Adhikari, have claimed that despite warnings of a flash flood the district administration did not take any precautions to prevent the people from going to the river on Wednesday night. The BJP leaders said that they were not accidental deaths but culpable murders because of the negligence of the administration.
However, Adhikari's logic has been rubbished by north Bengal development minister, Udayan Guha. "Had the administration stopped people from going in the river on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami, then the same Suvendu Adhikari would have alleged that the state government does not allow the performance of Hindu rituals. This is nothing but politics," Guha said.
(Source: IANS)
‘Papa killed mummy': 4-year-old's drawing creates suspicion over woman’s alleged suicide
Sunil Mittal gets Rs 8486 crore after selling....; still seeks funds for newer...
How a low cost floor cleaning robot revolutinising home automation – Check details
Harvard Alum Aayush Puri: Move back to India, the future is here
Vicky Kaushal reveals how his fight scene with lion in Chhaava was shot: 'We were all so...'
Shabana Azmi holds her ears, issues public apology to Dabba Cartel co-star Jyotika; here's why
Meet Arvind Kejriwal’s daughter, who cracked IIT-JEE Advanced, went to IIT Delhi, now working as...
'Kohli never said a word': Pakistan's Haris Rauf on Virat Kohli hitting sixes against him in...
Bengaluru to witness hottest summer says IMD, recorded season’s highest temperature at...
Ranveer Singh to venture in production amid box office slump? Here's the truth
Where to Buy Testosterone in the USA? Top 3 Best Brands of Testosterone Cypionate in 2025
Pregnant woman employee gets Rs 1 crore compensation after being fired through...
ELECRAMA 2025: Powering the Future of Energy
Steroids for Sale in the USA: Buy Steroids Online in 2025
How to Choose Trenbolone for Sale Online? Review of Popular Trenbolone Manufacturers
After disrupting Indian market, Mukesh Ambani takes THIS popular brand to...
Remedium Lifecare Lands Rs 182 Crore Multi-Year Contract: Stock Set for Major Upturn
Former ISRO chief AS Kiran Kumar visits Goenka Temple, expresses hope for successful Mars mission
Anil Ambani's Rs 9831 crore company set to enter NEW space, makes key...
347 rooms, Rs 22400 crore worth: India's most expensive wedding venue is located in...
Vladimir Putin's BIG warning to Ukraine, will negotiate only if...
Woman constable carries baby on duty, RPSF says, 'she serves, she...', video goes viral
'Caught Red-Handed': Cognizant accuses Narayana Murthy's Infosys of stealing THIS secret in...
'Bharat Jodo Vivah': Wedding invite of Jammu's daughter, Kerala's son wows internet
Pavitra Rishta fame Usha Nadkarni cries inconsolably as she remembers her brother's death, watch
MASSIVE discount on Apple iPhone 16, iPhone 15, check here how to grab this deal
Juhi Chawla takes holy dip at Mahakumbh 2025, calls it 'most beautiful morning in her life'
Deepinder Goyal's Zomato launches first AI product ‘Nugget,’ says will give it for free to…
Champions Trophy 2025: 5 major records that Virat Kohli can break in this tournament
Shweta Basu Prasad says she was bullied on Telugu film set: 'I was called...'
Gujarat: Lion brings traffic to a halt at Bhavnagar-Somnath highway, watch viral video
India's Got Latent row: SC grants interim relief from arrest to Ranveer Allahbadia
Tesla begins hiring in India after PM Modi-Musk meet, announces multiple job roles in...
Gurugram woman shares interview experience at Zomato, CEO Deepinder Goyal reacts, says...
'Sir ek kiss ho jaye': Paps unleash a horror welcome on Udit Narayan
Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt REUNITE for Hollywood thriller, filming begins in Saudi Arabia: Report
Gujarat: Videos of women patients leaked on Telegram, YouTube, probe ordered
South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron found dead at home, cause of death revealed
Canada: Delta Airlines plane crashes at Toronto Pearson airport, flips upside down, several injured
Meet Gyanesh Kumar, IIT graduate, who becomes new Chief Election Commissioner
DNA TV Show: RSS' Bihar model ahead of Assembly elections in state
WPL 2025: Renuka, Wareham spark collapse as RCB bowl out Delhi Capitals for 141
Champions Trophy 2025: Ex-Pak cricketer says Pakistan don't deserve to win, 'Chal jaaye toh...'
Samantha Ruth Prabhu's Dippam Dappam dance leaves Chennai students awestruck, viral video
Breaking MS Dhoni's record is no big deal for Dinesh Karthik: 'It’s not something...'
Amid Mahakumbh rush, video of vehicle running on railway track goes viral; here's why
Who is Rohit Chopra? Indian-origin businessman called arrogant by JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon
All eyes on Mohammed bin Salman, as Trump, Putin and Zelensky set to meet in Saudi Arabia for...
WATCH: BJP office bearer dances to ‘Main Hoon Don’ flashing gun, FIR filed