Malda: Authorities breached a ring embankment at South Chandipur on Tuesday using an excavator to drain floodwaters trapped in Bhutni in Malda’s Manikchak block. The move followed appeals from residents and political functionaries after the swelling Ganga inundated over 100 villages, leaving nearly 2.5 lakh people marooned.A section of the embankment at North Chandipur was washed away by river erosion, submerging homes, roads and govt offices across three gram panchayats. Floodwaters also entered Bhutni Police Station, forcing officers to shift to a temporary camp.In neighbouring Ratua, the Mahanandatola Health Centre was inundated, disrupting healthcare for around 80,000 residents across four panchayats. Patients were moved to higher ground while medical staff continued treatment in waist-deep water.The Ganga at Manikchak Ghat stood at 25.81 metres on Tuesday morning, 51cm above the extreme danger level. The irrigation department warned that levels could rise further in the next 24 hours.Manikchak MLA Gour Chandra Mandal urged residents to move to shelters and promised relief supplies and temporary Bailey bridges. CPM functionary Debjyoti Sinha welcomed the embankment breach, saying it offered immediate relief. Union minister of state Khagen Murmu said restoration work would begin after Puja, once water levels recede.
