'Lakhs of homes flooded due to Centre's inaction': CM Mamata Banerjee slams Centre on Bengal flood

East Burdwan (West Bengal) [India], September 23 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday accused the BJP-led Central government of being the main reason behind flooding of lakhs of houses in West Bengal.
"In Jharkhand, as soon as it rains, we become worried because they release water to save themselves, which affects the entire Bengal region. The Ganga Action Plan, flood control, and DVC are all under the central government's control, but due to their inaction, lakhs of homes are getting flooded," she said.
She also mentioned that if the Central government provided the West Bengal government with one-fourth of the money it spends on elections, building large structures, and erecting statues, then West Bengal could better control the flood situation in the state.
"During elections, the money that political parties spend--building large structures and erecting statues--if the Central Government gives us even one-fourth of that amount, we (the West Bengal government) could manage the Ganga Action Plan and flood control much better," he said.
Banerjee also claimed that more areas in West Bengal would be flooded in the coming days if the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) releases water.
"Two depressions have developed over the Bay of Bengal. The situation will worsen, if it continues to rain, especially if the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) releases more water from its dams," she said.
On Monday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee toured the flood-affected districts of the state. In Bardhaman, she distributed essential items to the affected people during her visit.
Earlier on Saturday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote another letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing concern over the flooding in South Bengal, which she attributed to "abnormally heavy releases of water from the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) reservoirs in Jharkhand."
In her letter dated September 21, CM Banerjee voiced her disagreement with the central government's handling of the situation. She claimed that the water release from the DVC reservoirs was done unilaterally, without sufficient input from her government.
She said that "decisions related to water management were made by the Central Water Commission and the Ministry of Jal Shakti without a consensus being reached with West Bengal authorities."
Banerjee highlighted that a peak water release, lasting for nine hours, was initiated with only 3.5 hours' notice, which she deemed inadequate for effective disaster management.
"The peak water releases from the reservoirs lasting for a prolonged period of 9 hours, were conducted with only 3.5 hours of notice, which proved insufficient for effective disaster management," she wrote.
"In light of these concerns, I reiterate the demands mentioned in my perious letter dated 20.09.2024 and I request your kind personal intervention to address these issues urgently," she added.
Banerjee posted a copy of the letter on X on Sunday, saying, "This is my second letter to the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India regarding the devastating MAN-MADE flood in South Bengal caused by unprecedented release of water by DVC."
In her previous letter, Banerjee noted that the floods had affected five million people and urged the central government to release emergency funds to support recovery efforts.
"The floods have led to significant loss of crops, damage to public infrastructure, and destruction of homes and livestock," she wrote, adding the state government is working hard to provide relief, with operations underway to evacuate people to safer shelters.
Banerjee urged the Prime Minister to seriously consider her concerns and requested the release of funds for flood management efforts to help the affected population. (ANI)