Mamata's hands full; Flood-like situation aggravates with overflowing water reserves

Kolkata, Aug 3: Mamata Banerjee's hand are full this monsoon. She has now the responsibility of taking out Bengalis from the flooded roads of the state, apart from stabilizing the economy.

While the monsoons this time have played a spoilt sport driving the state into trouble, the government has many more things to worry about. With many reservoirs close by, Mamata worries that the heavy discharge would make the situation worse here.

For instance, the Durgapur barrage was scheduled to release 65,000 cusecs of water on Sunday. The authorities, however, warn that the release may go up to 90,000 cusecs. Some of the other dams that were releasing water simultaneously include Tilpara, Hinglo, Kangshabati, Massanjore, Maithon and Galudi in Jharkhand.

The rivers present here include Subarnerekha , Kangshabati, Damodar.

While "man-made" floods were a recurrent complaint with the present government, the latter later confirmed that the situation has gone beyond control. She also regretted that she had nothing to do except watch many parts of the state get submerged.

She said,"In the last four years, there has been no flood like this. So far, we have witnessed man-made floods and we have restricted them quite successfully. But the situation at present is rendered beyond control."

Urging the people to stay in relief camps and indoors for the next two days, she said,"I know that it is difficult to stay out of home, but life is priority. So, you must stay in relief camps for two to three days... Yesterday, I had said that there was 61 per cent excess rainfall. Today, it's 70 per cent."

Blaming the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) responsible for the situation, she said,"DVC is doing business... We love them but that does not mean they will submerge Bengal... Two years ago, we had written to the Centre that more than two lakh cusecs of water can be reserved in DVC reservoir only if dredging is done. I will again write to them."

In Burdwan, the army had to be sent to clear the roads. Many Speedboats were also launched to ferry people from place to place. The NDRF was also sent to Ghatal, Moyna, Panskura, Udainarayanpur, Amta areas in Midnapore, Hooghly and Howrah districts.

OneIndia News