Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Suvendu Reviews Bengal Floods, Says Water Will Soon Recede
Heavy rain caused flooding in parts of West Bengal.
The worst-affected areas mentioned are in the Lower Damodar Valley.
Water levels crossed danger marks in Khanakul, Jangipara and Udaynarayanpur.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said people should not panic.
He said the water should go down if there is no more rain.
Officials are moving people and cattle from unsafe places.
Rescue teams, boats, divers, police and disaster-response workers are ready to help.
The government is also arranging food and drinking water for affected families.
Adhikari praised the Damodar Valley Corporation for managing the dams.
The reports also differ in emphasis, with one noting reduced releases and another reporting more than 1 lakh cusecs released by Friday afternoon.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said flooding was under control and urged people not to panic.
Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall inundated parts of the Lower Damodar Valley, with rivers above danger levels in Khanakul, Jangipara and Udaynarayanpur.
The government said it was evacuating residents, moving cattle, and preparing food, drinking water, funds and medical supplies.
The Damodar Valley Corporation was reported to have released more than 1 lakh cusecs of water, while Adhikari praised its management of the reservoirs.
The State Disaster Response Force, National Disaster Response Force, police and civil-defence personnel were deployed for rescue and relief operations.
- Who
- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, state officials, district administrations, the Damodar Valley Corporation and disaster-response agencies.
- What
- Officials reviewed flooding in several West Bengal districts after heavy rainfall and outlined evacuation, relief and rescue measures.
- When
- Friday, September 4, according to the PTI report.
- Where
- The Lower Damodar Valley, especially areas of Hooghly and Howrah; danger levels were reported in Khanakul, Jangipara and Udaynarayanpur.
- Why
- Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall caused inundation and raised river and reservoir levels, requiring water releases and emergency preparations.
Government reassurance and DVC defence
Political criticism over flood management
Condition of the flood situation
Government reassurance and DVC defence
Adhikari said there was no reason to worry, the situation was under control and water would recede if rainfall stopped.
Political criticism over flood management
The inundation, danger-level water and need for evacuations and emergency relief showed that several areas remained vulnerable, even though the reports did not quote a current opposition response.
Responsibility for water releases
Government reassurance and DVC defence
Adhikari said dams have capacity limits, water must be released when levels rise, and praised the Damodar Valley Corporation for its handling of the situation.
Political criticism over flood management
The report recalled that the previous Trinamool Congress government had frequently disputed DVC releases and described earlier floods as “man-made.”
- Most affected region
- The Lower Damodar Valley, including parts of Hooghly and Howrah districts.
- Reported danger levels
- Water was above or had reached danger marks in Khanakul, Jangipara and Udaynarayanpur.
- Water release
- State government sources said the Damodar Valley Corporation had released over 1 lakh cusecs by Friday afternoon.
- Government assessment
- Suvendu Adhikari said the situation was under control and water levels should recede if there was no further rain.
- Relief measures
- Evacuations, cattle relocation, food and drinking-water supplies, contingency funds and relief shipments were arranged.
- Emergency resources
- Divers, speed boats, the State Disaster Response Force, the National Disaster Response Force, police and civil defence personnel were deployed or kept ready.
- Affected Hooghly areas
- The report said seven blocks in nine gram panchayats across Jangipara, Khanakul and Goghat were affected in Hooghly Rural.
