KOLKATA: The state government is going to evacuate around 20,000 people from Mousuni and Sagar islands in the next few days as the Sunderbans and the coastal districts of Bengal, which have already been devastated by cyclone Yaas, brace for yet another crisis.
While high tide, the day after new moon, is set to hit around June 11, spring tide — when the water level in the sea and rivers rises at least a metre higher than usual high tide — is expected to occur around June 26.
CM Mamata Banerjee on Monday apprehended that with embankment breaches still not fully repaired, the two tides coupled with a possible low pressure formation may amplify the damage at Sunderbans.
“I know it is a huge problem for people who will be shifted to flood shelters during this period.
But we will be doing this to save lives,” Banerjee said, addressing a review meeting.
The CM said the cyclone had breached embankments at 317 places.
“Work is in full swing but only 50% of the repair work can be completed by June 10.
The breach at Maheshtala will be fixed by June 23 and the 7.5km-long damaged stretch at Mousuni and Sagar island by July 31,” she said.
“I am asking the district administration to use men employed in 100 days’ work to throw out the water from the stagnant low areas.
Efforts should be made to install tubewells at higher grounds and relief work, along with distribution of pouch water, should be continued in full swing,” she added.
Chief secretary H K Dwivedi said the administration would maintain absolute transparency by putting up boards with photographs and detailed texts on the embankment construction work.
Meanwhile, KMC officials said they were taking steps to prevent inundation of large parts of the city in the event of heavy rain coinciding with high tide in the Hooghly.
“We have an evacuation plan for residents staying close to Tolly’s Nullah,” said a civic official.
(With inputs from Saikat Ray)