Bengal: Heavy Rain, Release Of Water From DVC Dams Lead To Floods In Several Districts

Bengal Floods: Several districts of West Bengal like Howrah and Paschim Medinipur have been flooded following heavy rains and release of water from Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) dams.

Paschim Medinipur, Howrah and Hooghly districts in Bengal have been flooded

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Heavy rains and release of water from Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) dams has led to flooding in several districts of West Bengal. Moreover, a cloudburst in north Sikkim has resulted in a flash flood in the Teesta river basin and caused havoc in Kalimpong in north Bengal, leading to the closure of NH 10, ABP Ananda reported.

On Wednesday, the DVC released 1,70,000 cusecs of excess water through its dams in Jharkhand following heavy rains in the catchment areas. It has led to a rise in the water levels in several rivers of south Bengal, flooding Udaynarayanpur in Howrah distrcit, Khanakul in Hooghly and Ghatal in Paschim Medinipur district. Bankura, Purulia and Purba Bardhaman districts are also facing a flood-like situation.

Several villages, including Divshut, Kurchi Shibpur, Tokapur, Hodal, Hariharpur and Shibanipur in Udaynarayanpur have been flooded. People from low-lying areas have been evacuated and taken to relief camps in the state.

"A total of 35 relief camps are operational in Bankura and Purulia districts and 14,467 pieces of tarpaulin have been distributed to the affected people," Indian Express quoted an official as saying.

READ | Bengal: Flash Floods In Kalimpong Trigger Large-Scale Evacuations, NH 10 Closed

Govt Issues Helpline Numbers

In view of the flooding, an emergency meeting was held in the state secretariat Nabanna on Wednesday that was chaired by chief secretary Harikrishna Dwivedi. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attended the meeting virtually as she is recovering at home due to a leg injury.

The state government has asked the DVC to reduce the amount of water being released. Two 24-hour helpline numbers of the state government were announced -- 1800-212-1655 and 9051888171. Nabanna's emergency number is 033-2214 2526.

"West Bengal is a riverine state. If Bihar, Jharkhand, Sikkim release water, the state will be flooded. It is better if the rain subsides, otherwise there is a possibility of more floods. There there must be no negligence on the part of the administration," ABP Ananda quoted Mamata as saying in the meeting. 

Heavy Rains Flood Low-Lying Areas In Sundarbans

Meanwhile, the coastal areas of South 24 Parganas has been severely affected by continuous rain. The low-lying areas of the Sundarbans have been flooded and several trees have been uprooted. Residents have been brought to nearby schools and shelter camps. Control rooms have been opened in every block of the district. The district administration has informed that sufficient relief materials were in stock. 

Moreover, vast areas of Rajpur-Sonarpur municipality have been submerged following continuous rain overnight. Sonarpur, Missionpalli, Subhashgram, Rajpur areas are the worst affected. The municipal chairman told ABP Ananda that water was being pumped out and several school buildings were kept ready for emergency situation.