Belgachia landslide floods North Howrah, residents block key highway over sewer overflow

A massive landslide at Belgachia has severely impacted the main drainage system in North Howrah, causing widespread waterlogging in several areas. The collapse of the Belgachia Pochakhala drainage channel has led to flooding in key regions, including B Road, C Road, and the Bamangachhi railway colony. Sewer water is overflowing, filling homes and turning streets into rivers of dirty, stagnant water. The overflowing drains have left the area submerged, with residents having to walk through knee-deep water. Despite efforts by the Howrah Municipal Corporation to pump out the water, the problem remains unresolved, and the accumulated water continues to affect the daily life of the community.

In response to the crisis, local residents staged a protest by blocking the Howrah-Banaras road, demanding immediate action to address the flooding. The sewer water has turned black due to decay, creating an unbearable stench and breeding ground for pests. Sujoy Chakraborty, Chairman of the Administrator Board of Howrah Municipal Corporation, confirmed that additional pumps are being used to clear the water. However, he acknowledged that the problem of accumulated water has not yet been fully resolved and assured that efforts would continue to manage the situation.

To address the immediate challenge of water drainage, the Howrah Municipal Corporation has initiated the digging of a new drainage channel towards ‘F’ Road. This new drain is intended to divert the water from Zhil Road towards the Saraswati River, eventually leading to the Ganges. Residents have expressed concern about the narrow drainage pipes along ‘F’ Road, which they believe will not be able to handle the volume of water. To mitigate this, the authorities have started excavating a larger drain alongside the existing pipe. Municipal workers are also actively clearing accumulated garbage in the area, with a reported 1,600 metric tons of waste removed in a single day, marking a significant effort to address the growing sanitation issues.