The bank of the Ganga in Manikchak where the river is gobbling up the land. Picture by Surajit Roy

Malda, July 7: Over 30 families in six villages of Manikchak lost their homes today as the Ganga and the Phulhar touched the danger level, prompting the Malda district authorities to raise the yellow alert.

The two rivers meet in Manikchak, around 40km from Malda. Erosion has also begun in the Bhutni island, located between the rivers.

An irrigation department source said the water level of the Ganga has reached 24.30 metre, one metre below the extreme danger level. The Phulhar is flowing at 27 metre. “Another two metre and the red alert will be sounded,” he said.

The red alert signifies extreme danger.

While the Phulhar has become a threat to Bhaluka, Ratua and Harishchandrapur, the Ganga has been gobbling up land along a 5km stretch.

Villagers alleged that the Farakka Barrage Authority’s anti-erosion measures were not enough. General manager of the barrage Naresh Kumar said the work had been hampered for a long time because of labour unrest. But he said there was no reason to panic. “The men are still at work.”