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Ganga and Fulahar Rivers Flow Dangerously Close in Malda, State Plans Course‑Change Project
✍️ The Times of India
🗓 26 Oct 2026, 06:04 AM
👁 14
The Ganga and Fulahar rivers have come perilously close to each other in Malda, prompting the West Bengal government to launch a project to alter their courses and avert a possible breach.
The Ganga and Fulahar rivers, which run parallel through Malda district of West Bengal, have recently drawn within a short distance of each other, raising concerns of a sudden breach that could flood large tracts of land. Local officials reported that the narrowing gap between the two watercourses has increased the risk of one river overtaking the other during high‑flow periods.
In response, the state government announced a plan to undertake engineering works aimed at modifying the river courses. The project will involve dredging, embankment reinforcement and, if required, creating a new channel to ensure a safe separation between the Ganga and Fulahar. Authorities said the initiative is being fast‑tracked to prevent any disaster during the upcoming monsoon season.
The decision follows consultations with the West Bengal Water Resources Department and senior civil engineers, who assessed that immediate intervention is essential to safeguard agricultural fields and settlements along the banks. Funding and detailed design are expected to be finalized within weeks, with field work slated to begin before the monsoon peaks.
Residents of Malda have been advised to stay alert and cooperate with any evacuation or safety measures that may be issued as the project progresses. The state has pledged regular updates to keep the public informed about the timeline and impact of the river‑course alteration.
The move underscores the growing challenges of river management in flood‑prone regions of the state, where shifting waterways demand proactive infrastructure solutions.
In response, the state government announced a plan to undertake engineering works aimed at modifying the river courses. The project will involve dredging, embankment reinforcement and, if required, creating a new channel to ensure a safe separation between the Ganga and Fulahar. Authorities said the initiative is being fast‑tracked to prevent any disaster during the upcoming monsoon season.
The decision follows consultations with the West Bengal Water Resources Department and senior civil engineers, who assessed that immediate intervention is essential to safeguard agricultural fields and settlements along the banks. Funding and detailed design are expected to be finalized within weeks, with field work slated to begin before the monsoon peaks.
Residents of Malda have been advised to stay alert and cooperate with any evacuation or safety measures that may be issued as the project progresses. The state has pledged regular updates to keep the public informed about the timeline and impact of the river‑course alteration.
The move underscores the growing challenges of river management in flood‑prone regions of the state, where shifting waterways demand proactive infrastructure solutions.