The age-old saying, “A river breaks its banks and builds its banks,” seems to have lost its meaning along the course of the Ganga in West Bengal. In the districts of Malda and Murshidabad, the mighty river continues to erode both banks, swallowing vast stretches of land year after year—reducing fertile agricultural fields, mango orchards, and human settlements to memories.
An entire gram panchayat under Kaliachak Block No. 2 in Malda has already disappeared under the river’s relentless onslaught. Vast areas in five more panchayats across Manikchak and Ratua Block No. 1 face the same grim fate. Murshidabad’s Farakka and Shamsherganj blocks are witnessing a similar disaster, where large tracts of land have already gone underwater.
Even as the monsoon season draws to a close, the Ganga’s fury has not abated. The river’s level, which had begun to fall earlier this month, rose sharply again after heavy rains hit various parts of the country from October 4. This sudden surge has triggered fresh rounds of erosion across the region.
In Shamsherganj’s Uttar Chachand village, the devastation reached a heartbreaking peak late on Monday night when the 120-year-old Chachand Kali Temple was devoured by the raging river. The temple, along with its idol, was swept away within moments. Adjacent to it, the village’s only children’s education centre now hangs precariously over the river, with residents fearing it will be next.
“Monday night’s erosion has washed away several meters of land. The ancient temple could not be saved. We are in talks with the irrigation department to protect what remains,” said Shamsherganj BDO Sujit Chandra Lodh.
However, locals remain furious, alleging administrative negligence. They claim the river began eroding the banks nearly a month ago, and despite repeated pleas to save the temple, no effective steps were taken. “We informed the administration again and again, especially before Kali Puja, but nothing was done,” said a villager, adding that now even the education centre faces destruction.
In Malda, the situation is equally dire. The dam at Bhutni Char has been breached, causing severe erosion in Mahanandtola and Bilaimari gram panchayats of Ratua Block No. 1. Entire villages like Kantatola have already disappeared, while others, including Srikantatola, are on the verge of submersion. Large parts of Shobhapur Pardeonapur panchayat under Kaliachak Block No. 3 are also endangered.
Residents across both districts are demanding permanent anti-erosion measures, blaming both state and central governments for the prolonged inaction. Whenever the question of prevention arises, the two authorities pass the blame to each other. State leaders argue that the responsibility lies with the Centre, while central officials insist that the state government must first send a formal request for any project.
Meanwhile, locals draw comparisons with Bihar, where stone boulders have been used to strengthen riverbanks successfully.
“If Bihar can protect its banks, why can’t West Bengal? Are we not part of India?” asked Ratan Das, one frustrated resident.
As of Wednesday morning, the Ganga’s water level stood at 24.18 metres, around 51 centimetres below the danger mark of 24.69 metres. Officials say the level may start receding if no further rainfall occurs upstream. However, experts warn that the period of fluctuating water levels often triggers fresh waves of erosion, meaning the danger is far from over.
For the people of Malda and Murshidabad, the Ganga’s hunger shows no sign of diminishing—and neither does their fear of losing what little remains of their land, homes, and heritage.
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