The damaged portions of the Tilpara barrage on August 7 morning. Photo credit: Special arrangement
Heavy rainfall in West Bengal has led to major structural damage to the Tilpara barrage in the Birbhum district. Transport has been stopped on this cardinal bridge above the barrage, which is one of the major links between north and south Bengal. Locals alleged government negligence in repairing the decades-old barrage.
This year multiple districts in West Bengal are grappling with heavy rainfall, waterlogging, and even landslides in parts of north Bengal.
According to the West Bengal State irrigation department, on July 29, a sudden surge in rain in Birbhum led to 99 mm of downpour in 2 hours, triggering an unprecedented surge in discharge—48,600 cusecs—through the structure of the Tilpara barrage. By 7 am, inflow had peaked at 56,497 cusecs, leading to exposure of sheet piles beneath the barrage apron and compromising the divide wall. Within three weeks of June end to mid-July last year in 2024 the area received around 600 mm rainfall, but this year rains crossed 1,500 mm within the same time.
Manas Bhunia, Minister for Irrigation and Waterways, said that temporary measures were taken to de-escalate the situation after July 14, and loose boulders were dumped on the impervious floor. “Despite these efforts, the barrage endured severe damage and endless rains has disrupted work multiple times,” he added.
An emergency response—including sand grouting beneath the floor and reinforced gabion dumping—was proposed by IIT Roorkee experts on August 3. Minister Bhunia confirmed work would begin from August 9, with full mobilization of machinery and skilled manpower underway.
“There is land subsidence in the area, according to the experts who visited the site, but the water thrust is severe, and the structure is old so it sustained damages,” Mr. Bhunia said on Friday.
The 308-meter Tilpara barrage was constructed in 1951 and has suffered many damages over the years due to floods in the State. But the locals in the area have alleged negligence and lack of maintenance as major reasons behind the collapse of the structure. Due to the sudden escalation in the situation, the government had to stop movement on the bridge above the barrage from August 1. This has led to massive communication difficulty for the locals.
“The road above the barrage is part of National Highway 14, Birbhum’s main city is Suri, which is connected by this road. Anyone coming in from other parts of Birbhum have to take other routes and wait 2-3 hours in traffic jam. This barrage has no maintenance, this was bound to happen,” a resident of Suri Suri told The Hindu. He also said that heavy load vehicles, including trucks from Deocha Pachami coal mines, are constantly travelling through this road, causing further damage to the weak structure.
According to officials the first damage to the structure was noticed in 2019. Mr. Bhunia alleged that the central government has never sanctioned money for the repair works since 2019 and has led to the delay in the repair works.
The State irrigation department confirmed on August 8 that IIT Roorkee experts visited on August 3 and proposed some immediate remedies to contain the situation—including sand grouting beneath the floor and reinforced gabion dumping.
A delegation from the Central Water Commission will survey the Tilpara barrage on Saturday.
Published – August 09, 2025 08:12 am IST
