West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee distributes relief items to the victims of the flood-hit district, Barjora in Bankara on Monday. | Photo Credit: ANI
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday (September 23, 2024) held an administrative review meeting in Purba Bardhaman of the State to assess the flood situation in the region and urged the administration to remain vigilant after the appearance of the storm in the Bay of Bengal.
The Chief Minister who distributed resources to the people said that all officials and workers have been asked to work hard to control the flood situation.
“There are strong storms in the Bay of Bengal for the next two to three days. If it rains heavily, and DVC (Damodar Valley Corporation) releases more water, floods will occur. In such areas, I have asked the Block Development Officers and other officials to convince people to leave their homes if it is too dangerous,” said Ms. Banerjee.
The Regional Meteorological Center in Kolkata issued a press statement saying that the cyclonic circulation is lying in the Central Bay of Bengal at a height of 5.8 km above sea level with a southwesterly tilt and elevation. “Under its influence, a low pressure area is likely to form over the western Bay of Bengal and neighboring areas in the next 24 hours,” the statement added.
The Chief Minister has assured the farmers that his government will provide compensation for the loss of crops.
The Chief Minister’s administrative review meeting comes at a time when Mrs. Banerjee blamed the release of water from the Damodar Valley Corporation for flooding several districts of South Bengal. The Prime Minister has written two letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi threatening to sever all ties with DVC. He also visited the flood affected areas in Howrah and Hooghly. Two District government officials have also resigned from the DVC committees.
DVC said the release of water was done in consultation with the State. The BJP leadership in the State described the Chief Minister’s visit to the flood-affected areas as a photo opportunity and alleged that the State government has not done anything to repair the wall.
The Prime Minister also said that due to the location of the State, this region has been affected by floods. “We are a country of rivers, ponds and seas. We are like a boat. A lot of water accumulates even when it rains lightly. Whenever it rains in Jharkhand, we always worry. They are releasing water to save themselves and it is affecting Bengal,” Ms Banerjee said.
Published – September 24, 2024 07:28 am IST