Old Ganga Dam Breaks in Malda's Bhutni, Water Flooding In! Two Lakh People in Panic Over Flood Threat Again
**Malda:** The old Ganga dam in Bhutni, Malda, has finally broken. Local sources report that a section of about 20 meters near the Kesharpur Kalutnotola area of Bhutni collapsed early Thursday morning. Water from the Ganga has started flooding into the unprotected areas of Bhutni through the broken part of the dam. As a result, there is a fear of flooding in Bhutni this year, just like the last two years.
The dam break has already caused widespread panic in the entire area. Local residents fear that if the water is not contained quickly, the Ganga's water could spread to a larger area. If the situation is not controlled, there is a risk of severe impact on homes, agricultural land, and local communication systems.
It is noteworthy that this year, the BJP MLA from Manikchak, Gourchandra Mandal, had assured multiple times about protecting Bhutni from flooding. He had assured local residents that the dam would not be allowed to break under any circumstances and that Bhutni would be protected. However, despite those assurances, a major breach has occurred in the old dam again.
However, a new ring dam has been constructed a little distance from the dam break site under the state government's initiative. Given how quickly the Ganga's water is entering the unprotected areas of Bhutni, there is concern about whether this ring dam will be able to contain the water.
Regarding the situation, CPI(M) leader Debjyoti Sinha from Manikchak has raised his voice against the state and central governments. He alleges that the indifference of the irrigation department and district administration is the reason for the fear of flooding in Bhutni this year, just like the last two years. He claims that if necessary measures had been taken in time, this situation could have been avoided.
With the dam break and water flooding in, the people of the vast area of Bhutni are now living in extreme panic. Locals demand that the dam be repaired and measures to contain the water be taken urgently in a wartime manner. Residents fear that if the administration does not take swift action, the situation could become even more dire.
