5 hrs ago
Suvendu Adhikari Rejects ‘Man-Made Flood’ Narrative Over DVC Releases
Heavy rain filled some dams with too much water.
The Damodar Valley Corporation released water to keep the dams safe.
This water flooded some areas of southern West Bengal.
Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari said the government would not call the flooding “man-made.”
He said the state should work with the DVC to handle the problem.
Some places had water above the danger level, but officials said the situation was not major.
The government prepared relief supplies, snakebite medicine and divers.
It is also studying a long-term plan for riverbank erosion in Malda.
Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari said his government would not blame the Damodar Valley Corporation for flooding.
He said excess water must be released from dams when rainfall exceeds their capacity.
The government reported water levels above danger marks in parts of Hooghly and Howrah.
Adhikari said no embankments had breached during this monsoon and relief measures were underway.
The government is considering a permanent solution to Ganga erosion affecting 19 villages in Malda’s Kaliachak.
- Who
- West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, state officials and the Damodar Valley Corporation were involved.
- What
- The government responded to inundation and rejected the earlier “man-made flood” description of flooding linked to DVC water releases.
- Where
- Affected areas included parts of Hooghly, Howrah, East Burdwan and Bankura; Ganga erosion was highlighted in Kaliachak and Bhutni in Malda.
- When
- The statements and virtual district meetings took place on Friday during the monsoon.
- Why
- Heavy rainfall and water flowing into dams increased reservoir levels, requiring the DVC to release water.
Earlier Trinamool Government
Current BJP Government
Responsibility for flooding
Earlier Trinamool Government
The earlier government repeatedly blamed the Damodar Valley Corporation for releasing large quantities of water without sufficient consultation with the state.
Current BJP Government
Suvendu Adhikari said dam releases are necessary when reservoirs receive more water than they can hold and rejected the “man-made flood” narrative.
Approach to the DVC
Earlier Trinamool Government
The earlier administration portrayed DVC releases as a cause of recurring inundation in southern Bengal.
Current BJP Government
The current government praised the DVC and said it would coordinate with the agency instead of politicising the issue.
Flood response
Earlier Trinamool Government
The article associates the earlier administration with repeated embankment breaches and extensive temporary sandbag repairs in July and August.
Current BJP Government
Adhikari said the current government had taken precautions, provided relief and recorded no embankment breaches during this monsoon.
Key facts
- Water release
- Adhikari said 1.20 lakh cusecs of released water affected some areas.
- Lower releases
- He said there was no problem when releases stayed below 20,000–30,000 cusecs.
- Water levels
- Levels were above the danger mark in parts of Khanakul, Jangipara and Udaynarayanpur.
- Embankments
- Adhikari said no embankment had breached during the monsoon this year.
- Preparedness
- The government stocked anti-venom and kept divers ready while arranging relief work.
- Malda erosion
- Riverbank erosion at Bhutni had affected 19 villages, according to Adhikari.
Quotes
Suvendu Adhikari
West Bengal chief minister discussing his government’s approach to DVC water releases and flooding.
“The earlier government tended to blame the DVC. We do not have that approach. If a dam accumulates excess water, it will have to release that water. I will not say (like his predecessor) that 'the Centre released water, DVC released water', and use the narrative of a 'man-made flood'.”
telegraphindia.com
“This is not a major situation. Wherever there has been an impact, the government has naturally taken all necessary measures, including relief work. Anti-venom for snakebites has been stocked, and divers have been kept ready.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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