Panic Spreads as Hoax WhatsApp Message Falsely Claims Collapse of New Bethukandi Sluice Gate; Authorities Confirm Structure is Secure

The new Bethukandi sluice gate and embankment constructed after the last devastating flood of 2022 is completely fine and standing strong. A message about its probable collapse is spreading like wildfire on WhatsApp. Multiple forwards through WhatsApp groups with hundreds of members, are creating a situation of panic among the locals of Bethukandi and Kanakrpur.

Reports say that people have started leaving their homes with their important belongings towards higher grounds. Currently, the water level of Barak River as measured in Annapurna Ghat stands at 20.16 metres as of 5 PM. Cachar DC, Rohan Kumar Jha, SP Numal Mahatta and MLA Dipayan Chakraborty visit the Betukandi dyke following the rise in the level of river water. “New embankment is perfectly fine and it will not collapse”, said DC Jha to Barak Bulletin.

The news being spreaded on WhatsApp in Bengali reads, “বেতুকান্দির নতুন স্লুইসগেটের তলা দিয়ে অবিরাম জল ঢুকছে মহিষা বিলে। মহিষা বিল ভরে গেলেই এই জল নেমে আসবে রাঙ্গিরখাড়ি খাল হয়ে নিউ শিলচর এলাকায়। সোনাই রোড, লিংক রোড, দাস কলোনি, নেশন্যাল হাইওয়ে এলাকা প্লাবিত হওয়ার সম্ভাবনা রয়েছে। বৃহত্তর মালুগ্রাম এলাকার সব ক’টি স্লুইসগেট বন্ধ করে দেওয়া হয়েছে। যদি আরো বৃষ্টি হয়, তবে জমা জলে মালুগ্রামেরও ভোগান্তি হবে। সতর্ক থাকুন সবাই।”

The above message (Water is continuously flowing into the Mahisha Bill through the new sluice gate at Betukandi. Once the Mahisha Bill is full, this water will come down through Rangirkhal to the New Silchar area. Sonai Road, Link Road, Das Colony, National Highway areas are likely to be flooded. All the sluice gates in the greater Malugram area have been closed. If there is more rain, Malugram will also suffer from waterlogging. Be careful everyone).

Through our communication with DC Jha, it was found that the message is a hoax and there is no chance of its collapse. Do not fall for such hoax.