Mamata Surveys South Bengal Floods, Assesses Damage and Relief Efforts

Quick Summary

• Flood Situation in south Bengal: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited flood-affected areas on August 5, 2025, including Arambagh (Hooghly district) and Ghatal (Paschim Medinipur district).
• Impact of Floods: Heavy rains have caused waterlogging in several districts since June. Affected districts include Hooghly, Howrah, Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur, Bankura, Darjeeling, and Kalimpong. Thousands of people are displaced.
• DVC Controversy: CM Banerjee blamed the Damodar Valley Corporation’s mishandling of water releases for the flooding. She alleged a “systematic attempt” by DVC to trigger floods through excessive water discharge in 2025 compared to previous years.
• DVC Response: DVC officials refuted these claims stating they maintained daily discharge below 70,000 cusecs this year despite abnormally high rains.They emphasized collaborative decision-making with state governments on managing water releases.
• Funding Challenges: West Bengal accused the Center of withholding funds necessary for flood management plans such as the Ghatal Master Plan. In February’s State Budget, ₹500 crore was allocated by the State for dredging riverbeds and embankment strengthening.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The ongoing floods underscore critical infrastructural challenges facing flood-prone regions like south Bengal. While naturally heavy rainfall has exacerbated conditions this year, disputes surrounding dam management between state (West Bengal) and central agencies (Damodar Valley Corporation) highlight systemic issues requiring cooperative frameworks for disaster mitigation.

CM Mamata Banerjee’s allegations against DVC reflect enduring tensions that question equitable distribution of responsibilities between states and central entities during crises like flooding. The need for long-term projects-like adopting thorough flood mitigation measures such as the Ghatal Master plan-remains essential but constrained by financial disagreements over funding sources.

This broader situation indicates that both administrative coordination across agencies and meaningful investments into preventive infrastructure must align to offer enduring solutions for regions vulnerable to recurring natural disasters like floods.

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