Temple in West Bengal collapses into Ganges after riverbank erosion

A centuries‑old Hindu temple on the banks of the Ganges River in West Bengal collapsed early Thursday after severe riverbank erosion breached the protective embankments that had long shielded the structure. Officials from the West Bengal Archaeological Survey and the state’s flood‑control department reported that the river’s accelerated flow, intensified by recent monsoon rains, washed away a section of the levee, causing the temple’s foundation to give way and the building to tumble into the water. No injuries were reported, but the collapse has damaged a site revered by local devotees and listed as a regional heritage monument.

State authorities have dispatched engineers and conservation experts to assess the extent of the loss and to determine whether any salvable elements can be recovered for restoration. The incident has prompted a review of erosion‑control measures along vulnerable stretches of the Ganges, with officials indicating that additional reinforcement work will be prioritized to protect other historic structures. The collapse underscores the growing challenges of riverbank stability in the region, as climate‑related weather patterns increase the frequency of severe flooding and erosion events.