Bengal floods: CM Mamata Banerjee writes to PM Narendra Modi, threatens to sever ties with DVC
Times of India | 20 September 2024
NEW DELHI: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the state will cut ties with Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) due to 'unilaterally releasing water,' causing floods in South Bengal.
In her letter to PM Modi, she urged the immediate release of central funds to manage the flood damage.
Banerjee noted that the region is experiencing its worst floods in the Lower Damodar area and surrounding regions since 2009.
She emphasized the need for quick action, saying "I earnestly request that you give this matter serious consideration and direct the concerned ministries to address these issues as top priority, including the sanction and release of substantial Central funds to undertake extensive flood management works in the interest of people, who suffer the most."
She attributed the floods to the “unplanned and unilateral release of an enormously huge volume of water at nearly 5 lakh cusecs from the combined system of Maithon and Panchet dams owned and maintained by the DVC,” which led to significant devastation.