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Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Centre rejects Mamata Banerjee's allegation of ‘deep conspiracy' to flood Bengal, says water released scientifically
NEW DELHI: The Centre has rejected West Bengal CM 's allegation of 'deep conspiracy' in flooding the state by centrally administered Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) and asserted that the water release from two reservoirs in Jharkhand was carried out 'scientifically' so that the risk of floods can be avoided in the downstream region. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Responding to Banerjee's post on X, in which she on Monday accused DVC for 'sudden' and 'unprecedentedly high' release of water during peak monsoon, Union Jal Shakti (water resources) minister CR Paatil a day later said the decision to release water from the Maithon and Panchet reservoirs is taken by the Damodar Valley Reservoir Regulation Committee (DVRRC), chaired by the Central Water Commission, with representatives from DVC and the state govts of West Bengal and Jharkhand. Noting that the Damodar basin received 815 mm rainfall between May and July 2025, a significant surge compared to previous years, Paatil on X said, 'This resulted in 16 times higher water inflows into the reservoirs during June-July 2025 than in 2024, and 43 times higher than in 2023.' 'Despite this, DVRRC regulated water release scientifically, limiting peak discharges to 70,000 cusecs to reduce downstream flood risk,' he said. Banerjee, however, alleged a 'staggering 11-fold increase in DVC's water discharge in 2025, compared to 2024' and '30 times higher than 2023', saying there is a 'systematic attempt to trigger more and more flood-like situations across south Bengal'. Flagging that the outflow of water from DVC was 50,287 lakh cubic meters during June-July this year compared to 4,535 lakh cubic meters during the corresponding period last year, she said, 'The huge increase in water releases this year to flood Bengal is deeply disturbing and shocking.' Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In her post on Monday, she said, 'DVC has failed Bengal this year to an unprecedented degree. Clearly, the centrally administered agency is becoming more and more anti-Bengal, in keeping with the ecosystem that the central establishment is trying to generate all over India today.' Sharing the factual position, Paatil in his written response to a Parliament question earlier on the same day in Rajya Sabha said DVC had released 27,987 lakh cubic meters of water from the Maithon and Panchet reservoirs from June 18 to July 15, 2025. The question was asked by TMC MP Ritabrata Banerjee. Incidentally, the West Bengal CM posted her allegation on X after her party's MP already got the written response from Paatil in the upper House on Monday. Paatil made it clear that DVRRC has been mandated to guide DVC in release of water from both the reservoirs in a 'coordinated manner' with due regard to ensure effective flood control as well as to fulfill requirements of drinking, irrigation, navigation and industrial uses for optimal benefits of West Bengal, Jharkhand and DVC. 'DVRRC follows a very systematic and scientific approach for reservoir operation as per laid down procedure in the Damodar Valley Reservoir Regulation Manual approved for the management of DVC reservoirs, in consultation with DVC, govts of West Bengal and Jharkhand,' he said.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Mamata visits flood affected areas in south Bengal; inspects condition, offers flood relief
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited flood affected areas in south Bengal on Tuesday (August 5, 2025). Ms. Banerjee has blamed release of water from reservoirs of Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) for the inundation of multiple districts in the State. Throughout the day Ms. Banerjee was seen visiting multiple flood affected areas. She started with Arambagh in Hooghly district and spoke to flood-affected people in the area who have taken shelter in a rescue camp. With a bucket filled with khichdi, she served food to the affected people. Later in the day she headed to Ghatal in Paschim Medinipur district where thousands have been affected due to the rising water levels amidst heavy rains. Even though the rains have stopped for the past few days, the water has not receded in these areas. Ms. Banerjee visited Ghatal's flood affected areas with Dipak Adhikari, MP from the area along with other government officials and MLAs and spoke to locals. 'In certain areas central government used to give money for dredging, or Ganga embankment breach issues, but now they have stopped all funds. We bear the full load of releasing these funds,' Ms. Banerjee said standing in the waterlogged areas of Ghatal and addressed the flood-affected locals. Ghatal, a flood-prone town in south Bengal, has long demanded a permanent solution to its annual inundation. The recurring crisis led to the Ghatal Master Plan—a comprehensive flood management project in the works for decades. In the February 2025 State Budget, Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya called it 'unfortunate' that the Centre hadn't approved the plan. The State allocated ₹500 crore for dredging riverbeds and strengthening embankments across 10 major rivers. Implementation will begin in 2025 after the flood situation is controlled, but by June, the State accused the Centre of withholding adequate funds. DVC blamed for flooding Like in the past years, Ms. Banerjee has blamed the DVC water release for the flood in Bengal this year. DVC is a central agency that manages a network of dams in the Damodar River valley between West Bengal and Jharkhand. 'They have not done dreading in the last 20 years. Why are they not doing it? We will not accept this. From next year we will plan and stop the water or redirect it when they release it,' Ms. Banerjee said on Tuesday. On Monday (August 4, 2025) she also said that there was a 11-fold increase in DVC's water discharge in 2025, compared to 2024 is a systematic attempt to trigger floods in the State. State Minister for Irrigation and Waterways, Manas Ranjan Bhunia had also blamed the DVC mishandling of water release from their dams. However, top DVC officials refuted the claims and said that they have not released water beyond 70,000 cusecs in a day in 2025. 'We have managed the situation very well. The rains have been abnormally high this year, but no lives have been lost due to flooding,' DVC official sources told The Hindu. He also highlighted that both West Bengal and Jharkhand government officials are present part of the committee which discusses the water release every time and water is not released without stakeholder advice. The State has been grappling with acute floods this year since June. Unusually high rain is one of the biggest causes behind the issue. Multiple districts in south Bengal like Hooghly, Howrah, Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur, Bankura, and areas in north Bengal like Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and others are battling with severe rain, waterlogging, and landslides in many areas. Thousands of people and hundreds of villages have been hit by the floods.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
BJP, Centre behind maltreatment of Bengali migrants, flood: Mamata
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday alleged that the BJP and the Central government were responsible for the alleged maltreatment of Bengali migrants in other states and a flood-situation in southern districts of the state. Addressing a gathering during a programme at Kamarpukur Ramakrishna Mission and Math, Banerjee said, 'Swami Vivekananda, Ramakrishna, Sarada Devi, Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chandra and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose all spoke Bengali. All their writings or creations are in the Bengali language.' Referring to flood-like situation in the state, Banerjee said, 'Due to the release of water from DVC (Damodar Valley Corporation), Maithon, Panchet and other dams, both North and South Bengal suffer from floods, which cause immense hardship to our people and drain the state's treasury. This time, DVC released 51,000 lakh cubic metres of water. Why hasn't dredging been done in the last 20 years? We will not tolerate this injustice.' 'After the 2026 Assembly elections, we plan to stop this forced water release by DVC. We have to create some of our own dams to counter this and manage the floods. If repeated appeals go unheard, we will have to act,' the CM said. She added, 'Bengal's funds have been blocked by the Centre, and we have had to do everything on our own. From roads to housing — we have done it all ourselves.' Later, Banerjee also visited a relief camp in Arambagh and distributed food to the flood-affected people. On a Cooch Behar resident receiving an NRC notice, the Chief Minister said, 'How is the Assam government issuing such notices? Bengali workers are being killed in Maharashtra. They are being tortured in other states like Delhi and Haryana. How dare they say there is no language called Bengali? This will never be tolerated. It is our oath to protect our mother tongue.' 'SIR brainchild of BJP-led Centre' The CM on Tuesday alleged that the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar was the brainchild of the BJP-led central government with the connivance of the Election Commission. 'This (SIR) has been planned by the Centre, keeping the Election Commission with it. We do not agree with it,' she said, contending that it is not possible for everyone to preserve parents' birth certificates for the exercise. The chief minister said she will not accept any attempt to introduce the SIR in West Bengal, where assembly polls are due in 2026. 'People practicing all religions will suffer if the special intensive revision is introduced in the state,' Banerjee claimed. She also alleged that attempts were underway to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the name of SIR. After taking stock of the flood situation in Ghatal, Banerjee said funds will be disbursed to farmers who suffered losses, from the state's crop insurance scheme. Banerjee said her government has been providing funds for the 100-day job guarantee scheme, housing for the poor and rural roads. Meanwhile, during a virtual meeting with district-level party leaders, TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday raised the issue of the Delhi Police letter where Bengali was termed as 'Bangladeshi'. He slammed the BJP and party leader Amit Malviya for allegedly insulting Bengali. 'This is why we call them Bangla virodhi and zamindars. How dare they call the Bangla language Bangladeshi? Not a single MLA of BJP is protesting this insult on Bengal and Bengalis,' he said. The MP also stressed on making the 'Amader Para, Amader Samadhan' project a success, calling it 'historic'. — PTI inputs
News18
5 days ago
- Politics
- News18
WB: CM Mamata Banerjee visits flood-affected Ghatal, relief camp in Arambagh
Hooghly (West Bengal) [India], August 6 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday travelled to Ghatal, which is reeling under devastating floods caused by incessant rainfall and visited a flood relief camp in Banerjee also visited Ramakrishna Math, Kamarpukur, and laid the foundation stone for the guest house, bhog ghar, and parking centre.'I also announced the formation of the Joyrambati-Kamarpukur Development Board, with a corpus of ₹10 crore to continue the ongoing developmental work. It was a poignant reminder of the timeless teachings of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa, Maa Sarada Devi, and Swami Vivekananda that continue to inspire and guide us.," she said in a post on X.'Later, I visited a flood relief camp in Arambagh, where I had the honour of serving meals in the community kitchen and offering comfort to those affected. From there, I travelled to Ghatal, which is reeling under devastating floods caused by incessant rainfall and the unilateral release of an unprecedented 51,000 lakh cubic metres of water by DVC," the post added.I ensured that rescue and relief operations are being carried out swiftly. Despite the financial blockade imposed by the Central Government, I assured the people that our Maa, Mati, Manush Sarkar remains committed to their well-being. The Ghatal Master Plan, worth ₹1,500 crore, is being undertaken, with ₹500 crore already allocated for the current financial year," the TMC supremo added.
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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Centre refutes Mamata's claim on floods, says water release was regulated
Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil on Tuesday rejected West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's allegations of "deliberate flooding" in the state by the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), asserting that water releases from the Maithon and Panchet reservoirs were carried out scientifically and in coordination with all stakeholders. Responding to Banerjee's claim that the DVC was "anti-Bengal" and responsible for a "man-made catastrophe," Paatil said, "The decision to release water is taken by the Damodar Valley Reservoir Regulation Committee (DVRRC), chaired by the Central Water Commission (CWC), with representatives from the DVC and the state governments of West Bengal and Jharkhand." He noted that the Damodar basin received 815 mm of rainfall between May and July 2025, a significant surge compared to the previous years. "This resulted in water inflows into the reservoirs during June-July 2025 being 16 times higher than in 2024 and 43 times higher than in 2023," the minister said in a post on X. "Despite such pressure, DVRRC regulated water release scientifically, limiting peak discharges to 70,000 cusecs to reduce downstream flood risk," Paatil said. Banerjee had alleged "flood mismanagement" and a "systematic attempt to trigger more and more flood-like situations" in south Bengal. "The centrally administered agency has failed Bengal to an unprecedented degree," she alleged in a post on X, accusing the Centre of "engineering a crisis" through the DVC. She highlighted a sharp spike in water outflows from 4,535 lakh cubic metres in June-July 2024 to 50,287 lakh cubic meters in the same period in 2025, and said the sudden release had devastated districts, damaged roads, breached embankments, and forced mass evacuations. Calling it "deeply disturbing," Banerjee claimed the "30 times higher" discharge compared to 2023 pointed to a conspiracy. "This is not a natural disaster. The data speaks for itself," she said, demanding an immediate halt to such discharges. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
