Several districts inundated after incessant downpour

Several rivers in various districts of Bengal are flowing above the danger level leading to heavy inundation in some parts of the state due to a cyclonic circulation for the past three days.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said the situation in some districts is grim but not out of control due to excessive rain over the past 72 hours. Many parts are submerged due to heavy rain but it is not yet a flood-like situation, she said at Nabanna.

"There is no flood-like situation. Some parts of Labhpur in Birbhum, Arambagh in Hooghly, Ghatal in West Midnapore are submerged. I did a monitoring meeting today (Monday). We are carefully observing the developments and relief to affected areas has been sent including tents and blankets," Banerjee added.

"They have released water and it has led to this situation," the Chief Minister said without naming any organisation at the Kolkata airport before leaving for Delhi to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the President. There is water in certain low lying areas of Purulia, West Midnapore, Hooghly and Birbhum districts, Banerjee added.

State Irrigation minister Rajib Banerjee held a meeting with the District Magistrates of the concerning districts through a video conference and issued necessary instructions. The minister also asked the senior engineers to take adequate steps to combat the situation. It has been learnt that the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) has released 18,000 cusecs on Monday while Galodi has released 61,000 cusecs leading to this crisis-like situation.

"We have written letters to the DVC and Galodi urging them to restrict the release of water," Rajib Banerjee said.

It may be mentioned that the state Irrigation department has been carrying out various projects to construct the embankments of the rivers in various low lying areas of the districts.

The Regional Meteorological Office in Alipore has, however, predicted that heavy monsoon rains will continue in the city and other South Bengal districts till Tuesday afternoon following which the situation might improve.

It may be mentioned that around 17 villages in Birbhum are submerged. The condition is improving gradually as the water level in Mayurakshi receded by a small margin. The traffic movement on National Highway 60 became normal on Monday after remaining suspended for a few hours.

Around 20 villages in West Midnapore went under water after the embankments of the Silabati river were breached. Other areas like Chandrakona and Keshpur also remained submerged.