West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has once again blamed the Central Government and the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) for the ongoing flood situation in the state, calling it mainly “man-made.”
Recent heavy rainfall has caused severe flooding in several districts, with rivers like the Dwarkeswar, Gandheswari, Shilabati, and Kangsabati overflowing. Bankura, West Midnapore, and Jhargram are the most affected areas, and conditions in Ghatal and Garhbeta are becoming increasingly dire.
The Chief Minister accused the DVC of releasing water from its dams without informing the state in advance. “The DVC releases water without informing us. That is why there are floods. Bihar and Jharkhand also release water without notice, and Bengal bears the brunt,” she said.
She linked the current crisis to the excess water released from the Maithon and Panchet dams managed by the DVC. Banerjee claimed that if the dams had been properly dredged, they could have held an additional 4 lakh cusecs of water, which might have avoided the flooding.
In addition,Mamta Banerjee pointed to problems in North Bengal, blaming water released from rivers in Bhutan for the flooding there. “There is no representative from West Bengal on the Indo-Bhutan River Committee. That is why Bengal is suffering. There should be representation from the state in that committee,” she stated.
Ghatal in West Midnapore is reported to be in the most critical condition due to ongoing rainfall. The situation has also raised concerns about the future of the long-delayed ‘Ghatal Master Plan.’
Before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Banerjee promised that the state government would carry out the project on its own. Rs 500 crore was set aside for it in this year’s state budget. However, the floods have halted progress on the project.
Criticizing the Central Government again on Tuesday, the Chief Minister said, “The Centre has done nothing to control floods in Ghatal.” She reiterated that the ‘Ghatal Master Plan’ would be completed within the next three years, with a total state investment of Rs 1,500 crore.
