Dam breached in Malda, HC asks for report
The Statesman | 21 September 2025Local residents have alleged negligence against irrigation department officials for their precarious state. The state has transferred three officials, chief engineer Gorachand Dutta, executive engineer Shibak Bandopadhyay and supervising engineer Pratik Bhattacharya. Sources said that the new officers have visited the area to take stock of the situation and suggested measures for the repair of the embankments.
Irrigation minister Manas Bhunia said that nature is not under human control. “We cannot control the course of the river. We are taking the suggestions of an expert from IIT Roorkee, Prof Zulfequar Ahmed.
The Calcutta High Court has sought a detailed report from the state government asking how can a newly-constructed dam get damaged so early.
According to the order, the district administration and irrigation department have been asked to submit a report on the condition of the dams, the preventive measures being taken, and the steps implemented to give relief to the affected people within two weeks.
“Based on the discussion with Prof Ahmed, an ADCP survey is going on over the breached portion and adjacent areas to assess the exact profile of channel and the depth of scouring. As per initial inputs from the survey, the maximum scouring depth is observed today as 17m,” said Minister Bhunia.
The new team spent the entire day visiting different parts of affected areas of Bhutani and Ratua reach.
The DM Malda has been briefed by the team, sources said.
