With reports of dead bodies floating in the Ganga in adjoining areas of Bihar, the Bengal Government has placed the Malda district officials on alert asking them to fish out the bodies and arrange for their proper funeral, sources in the State Health Department said.

“There are reports of many bodies of people who died of corona floating in the Ganga in adjoining districts of Bihar. We do not want these bodies to float into Bengal causing health hazards and hence Rajarshi Mitra, the DM of Malda, has been alerted to take appropriate measures to fish out the bodies when they float into this State,” a senior Health department official of the Bengal Government said.

“There are chances of dead bodies washing up on the banks of the Ganga. We gave directions to the nearby blocks of Ganges Manikchak and Kaliachak 2 and 3 block to monitor round-the-clock for the dead bodies,” officials said adding fishermen also have been alerted.

Adequate boats have been pressed on service for the purpose and the BDOs of Manikchak and Kaliachak 2 blocks have been asked to maintain high vigil.

The Ganga enters Bengal at Manikchak area in Malda district from where Farakka Barrage is just 22 km, the official said. “We have asked the Farakka Barrage authorities too asking them to keep an eye on the floating bodies because there is a feeder canal that feeds the Hooghly River downstream … we do not want the Hooghly River to be contaminated,” the official said adding the “Government has asked the district officials to arrange for the funeral of the floating bodies with due honour.”