The rain-fed Fulhar river flowing through Malda district is swollen and eroding chunks of land along a vast stretch in the Harishchandrapur-II block.

The state irrigation department has started preventive steps. Around 150 families from five villages have been shifted to safer places.

A sluice gate in Tiljanna area of the block, which controls the Fulhar’s flow, has also developed a large crack.

Over the past few days, erosion has been reported in villages like Kawadol, Tantipara, Rashidpur, Uttar, and Dakshin Bhakuria, under Islampur panchayat of the block.

“We are trying to combat the situation. Palliative work has started and measures are being taken to prevent erosion. Some senior engineers of the department have taken stock of the situation and given instructions,” said an official of the state irrigation department.

The residents, however, are not happy with the quantum of anti-erosion work.

“The attempt to prevent erosion by dropping the sand-filled bags is not enough. Owing to erosion, some electric poles have fallen, resulting in prolonged power cuts. Some generators are providing power, but they’re inadequate,” said Ziaur Rahman, a schoolteacher in Uttar Bhakuria.

He said residents were also concerned about the sluice gate crack.

“Water from the Fulhar has started entering parts of Bhaluka and Daulatnagar. If the crack is not repaired on an emergency basis, many areas will be flooded,” Rahman added.

State irrigation department sources said that on Thursday, the Fulhar was flowing at 25.65 metres, around 2 metres lower than the danger level.

Multiple sources in the villages said whenever water levels start receding, erosion gets more acute. “We don’t know if the work carried out by the irrigation department can stop erosion,” said a resident.

Khagen Murmu, the BJP MP of Malda north, who visited the areas on Wednesday, alleged anti-erosion work was shoddy.

“Residents have told me about the poor quality of anti-erosion work. We will launch a sit-in demonstration at administrative headquarters if the situation is not properly addressed,” he said.

Nitin Singhania, the district magistrate, said all necessary efforts were being taken to prevent erosion and the block administration had been put on alert.