The Bengal irrigation department will spend around Rs 28 crore to repair the embankments of the Teesta and some other rivers in Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar districts ahead of this year’s monsoon to prevent flash floods in the localities on the banks.

“Because of the flash flood in Teesta on October 4 last year, embankments in many stretches are damaged. Last monsoon, some other rivers had swelled and caused similar damage. That is why we decided to repair now so that people close to the banks in these affected stretches do not face sudden flooding,” said
Krishnendu Bhowmik, the chief engineer (Northeast) of the Bengal irrigation
department.

He said the department would spend Rs 28.4 crore overall for repairs in 29 locations.

“Fund has been sanctioned and the tender process will
be over soon,” added Bhowmik.

These include stretches on both banks of the Teesta in Milanpally of Rajganj block and Padamati in Mainaguri block of Jalpaiguri district, and Bibiganj in Haldibari block of Cooch Behar district.

The Teesta apart, embankments of the rivers Reti-Sukriti in Banarhat, Rangati and Gilandi in Dhupguri of Jalpaiguri and Sutunga in Jamaldaha of Cooch Behar will be repaired.

“The plan is to finish the work before monsoon starts. Also, this will ensure that the rivers flow along their natural course and don’t change their course,” Bhowmik said.