Jalpaiguri: Heavy rain continued to flood vast expanse of lands along the river Teesta in Jalpaiguri region of West Bengal. The swollen river had overrun embankment displacing hundreds of families and forced them to move to safer places. The gushing waters have flooded areas of North Vivekananda Pally, Motiachak, Bhakherchak and many other places in the region. More than 17,000 people have been affected due to the flooding of River Teesta. Meanwhile, the district administration sought the help of the Indian Army for the relief operations and evacuating the marooned families in Jalpaiguri and the neighbouring Cooch Behar district. Victims say more relief from the government was needed to sustain life. "The flood has left us in a distressed condition. We have lost all our belongings and got shelter in the relief camp. The Government came with some aid but that is not enough to sustain life with our family and the little ones. We need more help," said Pratime Saha, a flood victim. However, district officials say that the situation has improved. They said with the downpour having stopped, the gushing waters of the flooded river had ebbed. "Present condition after 19th calamity has much improved. Now, the water level is quite low. So, the overall situation has improved remarkably," said Santanu Mukherjee, Sub-Divisional Officer, Jalpaiguri. During the last couple of days, north Bengal has received heavy torrential rains resulting in soaring rivers in Jalpaiguri. The most affected of the regions is the North Vivekananda Pally of the Jalpaiguri Sadar. Hundreds of houses have been washed away in the disaster with crops worth millions damaged.
-August 24, 2009