Thaindian News

Kolkata, Aug 13 (IANS) The toll in the Bengal floods triggered by heavy rains has risen to 14, with more than 1.4 million people affected, officials said Saturday.

“Seventy one blocks and 52 municipal areas spread over parts of 15 districts are mostly affected,” Chief Secretary Samar Ghosh told mediapersons here. “There are floods in portions of Hooghly and Howrah districts. Flood like situation prevails in other 13.”

Meanwhile, high alert has been sounded in several districts after the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) released several lakh cusecs of water following heavy rainfall, state Irrigation Minister Manas Bhuniya said.

“Because of heavy rainfall, the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) has been forced to release 1.05 lakh cusecs of water. The Durgapur barrage will also release 1.46 lakh cusecs of water, which will take about 18 hours to reach Howrah and Hooghly districts.

“Following the release of water the administration and the people of both Midnapore and Bankura districts have been put on high alert,” Bhuniya said.

“We are monitoring every release on a half-hourly basis,” he added. “Another matter of concern is that the capacity of the reservoir of river Kangshabati is 440 feet and the water level rose to 435 feet. Owing to the rise 20,000 cusecs were released first and 40,000 cusecs later.”

However, the Met office brought some good news. The low pressure area has shifted to Jharkhand, said an officer at the Regional Meterological Centre, Alipore.

However, some areas of the state would experience intermittent rain, with one or two spells of heavy shower, in the next 24 hours.