BLANKET FLOOD ALERT IN NORTH BENGAL 

July 4 :    July 4:  The government today put all six districts in North Bengal on high alert after the Alipore weather office warned of heavy rains in the next 48 hours. Relief minister Hafiz Alam Sairani said following the Met office's warning, the district authorities of Darjeeling, Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Malda, North Dinajpur and South Dinajpur were cautioned. The minister said government employees on leave were asked to report immediately. A special control room has also be-en set up at Writers' Buildings. About 20,000 people have been affected by floods in Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar districts. North Bengal flood control officials said though water in all Teesta tributaries was receding, incessant rains could aggravate the situation. Unconfirmed reports said three persons were washed away in floods in Mal sub-division. Ei-ght gram panchayat areas, three in Sadar block and six in Malbazar block, were submerged. The PWD is repairing the 200 metres of National Highway 31C that was washed away by the floods. Breached railway tracks are also being repaired.