The flood situation in Malda took a serious turn as the Ganga inundated around 12 villages on the Bhutni islet in Manikchak block in the past 24 hours.

Altogether, 13 villages of the islet have been inundated so far, inconveniencing around 12,000 people.

The situation is equally grave in Ratua 1, the neighbouring block of Manikchak.

The deluge has prompted Nitin Singhania, the district magistrate, to reach Manikchak and lead the rescue and relief operations. He also held talks with officials of the state irrigation department and some other departments to combat the situation.

“We held an emergency response meeting in Manikchak. Integrated control rooms are functioning in every block and the district headquarters round the clock. Altogether, 11 flood shelters have been opened and around 1,200 families have been shifted to safer places. Six health camps have been opened,” said Singhania.

A group of senior officers, he said, are constantly monitoring the situation.

Sources in the irrigation department said the Ganga had already exceeded the danger level (DL) and is proceeding towards the extreme danger level (EDL). There was a rise in water level by around 24 centimetres in the past 24 hours.

On Sunday, an embankment on the left bank of the Ganga in Manikchak block collapsed at Kesharpur of Bhutni. Water spilled over the banks and flooded Kesharpur, Kalutontola, Ratanpur, Chama and Maniknagar villages.

Again, the river inundated villages like Bhubantola, Boro Karkatitola, Ashoknagar Colony, Champanagar, Jilabditola, Kashimnagar and Rahatpur on Monday.

At least 300 families in the inundated areas were shifted to safer places and provided with relief materials by the district magistrate. "We have also arranged electricity for those families," Singhania said.

Malda district magistrate Nitin Singhania (in white shirt) during a visit to the Bhutni on Monday. Picture by Soumya De Sarkar

Birbal Mahato, a flood victim, said: “The administration has played a helpful role. The DM has arranged boats and we could move to safer places with the essential commodities.”

Angad Mahato, another victim who had to abandon his house, said baby food was scarce. “We hope the administration will address the situation,” he said.

Local sources said around 10 families living on the embankment at Paschim Ratanpur in Bhutni had to be shifted at any time as the water levels were constantly rising.

Parameshwar Mahato, who is from Paschim Ratanpur, said all three-gram panchayat areas of Bhutni might face inundation.

“Water from the confluence of the Ganga and Koshi rivers has entered protected areas of Uttar Chandipur," Mahato said.

Later on Monday, the Ganga also flooded some parts of the Dakshin Chandipur panchayat.

A culvert collapsed at Kalutontola village on Monday. A two-wheeler rider was crossing the culvert and fell into the water. He was rescued but the bike was flown away.