Siliguri: The West Bengal Irrigation Department is evolving a joint mechanism to take a coordinated approach for flood protection and other related work in North Bengal.
This will work in coordination with different state and central government departments to work for flood control, relief and rescue across North Bengal after rivers spill over and inundate vast stretches of land in the region.
It will involve representatives from various state departments and central agencies and departments like the Indian Meteorological Department, Central Water Commission and the NHPC.
There will be a common committee comprising representatives from these departments.
It will function from a centrally located area of the region and will ensure prompt steps to control floods and mitigate the damage in North Bengal.
With intensive rainfall in the catchment areas of Teesta, Torsha, Jaldhaka and Raidak, the rivers are already inundating unprotected areas on both banks.
The proposal for the formation of this joint mechanism has already been sent to the state government for final approval. In that case, the committee can start functioning during the current monsoon season.
West Bengal is also demanding to form a joint river commission of India and Bhutan. Many rivers descend in the Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri districts from Bhutan.
Heavy rainfall in Bhutan causes these rivers to swell, leading to erosion and floods downstream.
There should be more rain gauge stations installed in Bhutan so that one can get extensive rainfall data in the catchments. This data will help the government to make necessary preparations to mitigate flood damage.
