Flood situation grim in West Bengal

The flood situation in north Bengal districts continued to remain critical today with many villages going under water.
State Irrigation Minister Rajib Banerjee said it has been raining continuously for the last 10 days rendering the situation critical in all north Bengal districts.
"In some places the rainfall has been as heavy as 200-300 mm on a day but we are doing everything possible so that people don't suffer. We are rescuing people from affected areas and have also set up a 24/7 control room in the districts to monitor the situation," he said.
He has also directed district officials to undertake repair work of embankments on an urgent basis, wherever needed.

At least four people have died so far in the floods and around 60,000 affected, officials said.
District officials said in Alipurduar's Falakata area that three villages had gone under water.
State Forest Minister Binay Krishna Barman went to north Bengal forests to assess the effect of the floods on wildlife.