Government Confirms DVC Followed All Norms for Water Release Amid Flooding Claims in West Bengal

The central government has refuted claims by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee regarding the cause of recent flooding in the state. Banerjee alleged that water released by the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) led to the floods. The government clarified that all procedures were adhered to during the water release process.

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Earlier, Banerjee described the situation as a "man-made flood," attributing it to DVC's actions. In response, the Union power ministry issued a statement asserting that all relevant authorities were notified about the planned water discharge from the dams. The Damodar Valley Reservoir Regulation Committee (DVRRC), which includes representatives from West Bengal, Jharkhand, and the Central Water Commission, oversees these releases.

Heavy Rainfall and River Conditions

Significant rainfall occurred in Gangetic West Bengal and Jharkhand due to a deep depression between September 14 and 16. This led to rivers in South Bengal, such as Amta Channel and Mundeswari, being in spate. Other interconnected rivers like Silabati, Kangsabati, and Dwarakeshwar also experienced high water levels.

The Tenughat Dam in Jharkhand released 85,000 cusecs of water, exacerbating the situation. The Jharkhand government has not included this dam under DVRRC's jurisdiction. Despite these challenges, efforts were made to coordinate dam releases with drainage conditions in the lower valley.

Efforts to Manage Water Release

Water release decisions from Maithon and Panchet dams were made after consulting with DVC and West Bengal authorities. The DVC allowed Panchet reservoir levels to exceed land acquisition limits for safety reasons. On September 17, 2024, at 5:00 PM, the reservoir reached a maximum level of RL. 425.22 ft.

Due to uncontrollable factors and safety concerns, combined peak releases from Maithon and Panchet dams reached 2.5 lakh cusecs between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM on September 17. This was gradually reduced to 80,000 cusecs by September 19 at 6:50 AM.

The central government maintains that all necessary precautions were taken during the water release process. The involvement of multiple stakeholders ensured that decisions were made with comprehensive input from all concerned parties.