West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee warned of a potential flood situation affecting at least seven districts following the release of water from dams in neighbouring Jharkhand. Banerjee revealed at a press conference on Monday night that the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) had released water without notifying the state government.
She stated that she had contacted Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren three times, requesting regulation of the water release. The affected districts include Birbhum, Bankura, Howrah, Hooghly, Purba Bardhaman, and parts of North and South 24 Parganas.
Heavy rains, triggered by a deep depression, have led to widespread flooding in several low-lying areas in southern West Bengal. In Paschim Medinipur, the Shilabati River has exceeded danger levels. The local administration has prepared relief materials and established a camp for potential emergencies.
Farmers in Chandrakona block 1 are facing significant losses due to rising water levels. In the Sundarbans, ongoing rainfall and strong winds have caused substantial damage, with fishermen advised to stay ashore and ferry services suspended.
In Bankura, water is flowing over a bridge on the Brahmadanga Canal, disrupting access to several villages. Kolkata has experienced severe waterlogging, causing slow vehicular movement on key roads.
The deep depression is expected to weaken into a depression within the next 12 hours before moving towards Jharkhand and northern Chhattisgarh. Kolkata and surrounding areas recorded over 65 mm of rainfall from 6.30 am on Sunday to 8.30 am on Monday.
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