CM Mamata blames DVC for releasing 27K lakh cusecs water without alert, causing floods

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday alleged that the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) released 27 thousand lakh cusecs of water without giving full prior information to the state government. She stated that this sudden discharge of water caused a sharp rise in river levels, resulting in flood-like conditions across multiple districts in Bengal. Speaking at Dorina Crossing, Banerjee said, “People’s homes have been flooded, crops have been damaged, and villages are under water.”

She said that the DVC should have coordinated with the state government before releasing such a large volume of water. According to her, the absence of communication hampered early response measures and preparedness. “We are not troubled by floods, but by water being released without prior notice or preparation,” she said. “Had we received timely information, relief work could have been initiated earlier.”

The Chief Minister demanded a response from the Centre on the matter. She said both the Centre and DVC should have worked in coordination with the state to avoid the damage. Banerjee warned that sudden water discharge without local consultation affects both people’s lives and agricultural production. She said the impact was particularly severe in rural and low-lying areas.

During the same address, Mamata Banerjee highlighted improvements in Kolkata’s drainage infrastructure. She said the problem of waterlogging in the city is being addressed with urgency. “Earlier, even a short spell of rain would flood the roads. Now, we are rapidly upgrading infrastructure,” she said. She added that all drainage projects will be completed by December 2025.

Banerjee also praised the contribution of the Bihari community in Kolkata’s civic services. She said 90 percent of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation staff are from Bihar and acknowledged their role in maintaining city operations. She emphasized that Bengal is a state for all Indians and said no community is sidelined. She condemned any form of linguistic or regional discrimination.