The water was released with just 3 and a half hours notice

The water was released with just 3 and a half hours notice
September 22, 20242 Mins Read

International Desk: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has once again written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi blaming DVC for the flood situation in West Bengal. The second letter mentioned that the water was released 'with only 3 and a half hours' notice'.

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Mamata had announced the withdrawal of the state representative from the Damodar Valley Reservoir Control Committee (DVRRC) protesting the Centre's behaviour. Similarly, West Bengal Electricity Department Secretary Shantanu Basu has resigned from the DVC board. State Representative and Chief Engineer of Irrigation Department has resigned from DVRRC. Apart from the DVC, the committee consists of representatives from the Water Commission, West Bengal and Jharkhand governments.

West Bengal and Jharkhand received rains last week due to a depression that formed over the Bay of Bengal. As a result water in Maithon and Panchet reservoirs rises. Vast areas of West Midnapore, Hooghly, Howrah, Bankura, East Midnapore, East Burdwan and West Burdwan were inundated soon after the DVC released water.

The Chief Minister has blamed the DVC for the whole situation from the beginning. He alleged that flood was created in West Bengal by releasing dam water to save Jharkhand. Calling it a 'man made flood', Mamata warned that she would sever all ties with the DVC.

In the letter written to Modi, Mamata also said that she had a talk with the chairman of DVC on the night of September 16. He requested not to release the water. That request was not heard. The state government has not sanctioned anything but two and a half lakh cusecs of water. The state was asked to reduce the water quantity first to 2.3 lakh cusecs and later to two lakh cusecs. But that request was not heard.

DVC was also late in replying. As a result, the situation worsened. Mamata said, "I personally felt that there was no need to release 2.5 lakh cusecs of water. Otherwise, the flood situation in South Bengal would not have become so dire.