Stagger release, state requests after DVC discharges 1.4L cusec water
Times of India | 4 August 2024
12 Kolkata/Burdwan: Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) on Saturday released around 1,38,000 cusec of water from Maithon and Panchet dams, raising fears of widespread flood across south Bengal, which has been receiving steady rainfall this week. The move prompted the state govt to ask DVC to stagger the release and announce a series of measures to deal with a possible flood situation.
According to DVC executive director Anjani Dubey, 12,000 cusec was released from Maithon and 36,000 cusec from Panchet dams at 9.30am on Sunday. Another 90,000 cusec was released from both these dams at 7pm. He added that the water level was 477 ft at Maithon and 414.5 ft at Panchet at 9.30am on Saturday. The Durgapur barrage has released 65,000 cusecs since Friday, according to executive engineer Sanjoy Majumdar.
Addressing a press meet on Saturday, Alapan Bandopadhyay, chief advisor to CM Mamata Banerjee, said that DVC was releasing water without properly informing the state govt, which has turned south Bengal district vulnerable to floods. The CM is peeved by DVC’s move, he added.
The situation is not good in North Bengal, too, due to heavy rainfall there. Alipurduar has been placed on high alert. “Water level is on the rise in both Cooch Behar and Alipurduar, and a chance of flash flood is not ruled out,” Bandypadhyay said.
The CM is monitoring the situation and is regularly interacting with the DMs, SPs, departmental secretaries and chief secretary BP Gopalika. He added that the member secretary of Damodar Valley River Regulatory Committee had informed that soon there would be an additional release of 1 lakh cusec from DVC, which is creating panic among the people. Gopalika has held meetings with the DMs to check on the districts’ preparedness.
Bandyopadhyay said there had been no discussion with the state on the release of water, which was done unilaterally by DVC. “Attempts are being made on how the release of water can be staggered. We are asking people not to panic but to stay alert. If needed, the administration will shift people from low-lying areas and from the embankments. The CM will issue directives after reviewing the situation,” the chief advisor said.
Three persons have drowned in Burdwan’s Garui river. Their bodies were recovered on Saturday morning. The deceased have been identified as Chanchal Biswas (59), Rohit Roy (30) and Gouranga Roy (39).