Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has directed the state Irrigation department to prepare a database containing details of all the major and minor dams under the jurisdiction of the state. After holding a meeting at Nabanna Sabhaghar on Thursday with several departments including Irrigation and Waterways, Banerjee said: "Directions have been given to prepare an audit map of the dams."
"Since the monsoon has set in, the state Irrigation department gives me a report on a regular basis, stating the water level in different rivers and details on rainfall in different areas," she said, adding that it has been directed to prepare an audit report of the dams and water reservoirs, as heavy rainfall and release of water from the reservoirs lead to flood.
According to experts, this is a proactive step to avoid flood-like situation in the state, as certain moves would be taken up as per the findings of the audit map.
It may be mentioned that at present there are 23 dams and water reservoirs under the jurisdiction of the Bengal government. There are also around 900 check dams. The number of check dams has considerably gone up in the past few years and it has helped in checking flood-like situation at various places.
With the completion of the audit mapping of all the dams and water reservoirs, there will be a ready database available with the state government and the concerned officials.