Mamata Banerjee Blames Central Government for Floods in West Bengal
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the flood-affected areas in Howrah and Panskura in Medinipur. She blamed the Central Government for not carrying out dredging at the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), which led to the release of over 5 lakh cusecs of water, causing floods in several districts.
Banerjee said, “This has never happened before. We conduct meetings from time to time. I personally called the DVC chairman and requested them not to release too much water.” She explained that the state is boat-shaped and prone to floods from neighboring regions.
She noted that the State government has built 500 check dams and it would take 3 to 4 days for the situation to settle if the weather is good. Banerjee also mentioned crop insurance for farmers and the construction of 50 lakh pucca houses, but highlighted that the Central Government has not provided funds for the last three years.
Banerjee emphasized that the flooding was not due to rain but the release of water from DVC. She criticized the Central Government for negligence, stating, “This is definitely because of the negligence of the Central Government – no dredging, no desiltation for years.”
She announced that the border with Jharkhand would be shut for three days and all ties with the DVC would be severed. Banerjee also mentioned that the Centre had announced Rs 700 crore to stop erosion in Farakka but did not provide the amount.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that a deep depression formed over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh, moving west-northwestward at a speed of 5 km/h, causing rainfall in parts of South 24 Parganas.
Doubts Revealed
Mamata Banerjee -: Mamata Banerjee is the Chief Minister of West Bengal, a state in India. She is the leader of a political party called the Trinamool Congress.
Central Government -: The Central Government is the main government of India, which makes decisions for the whole country. It is different from the state government, which makes decisions for a specific state.
Floods -: Floods happen when there is too much water in an area, usually because of heavy rain. This water can cover roads, fields, and even enter houses, causing damage.
Howrah -: Howrah is a city in West Bengal, near Kolkata. It is known for its busy railway station and the Howrah Bridge.
Panskura -: Panskura is a town in West Bengal. It is known for its agriculture and markets.
Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) -: The Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) is an organization that manages water and electricity in the Damodar River area. It helps control floods and provides water for farming and electricity.
Cusecs -: Cusecs is a way to measure the flow of water. It stands for cubic feet per second, which means how many cubic feet of water flow in one second.
Jharkhand -: Jharkhand is another state in India, next to West Bengal. It is known for its forests and mineral resources.
