DVC water release hits crop yield severely in Howrah

Kolkata: The flood-like situation created at Udaynarayanpur in Howrah allegedly due to release of a huge amount of water by the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) ahead of Pujas has caused massive damage to the crops in the area.

It was alleged that around 3,000 hectares of farmlands have been completely destroyed after the water started receding from the affected areas. Roads and wooden bridges in and around Udaynarayanpur have been damaged. The people in the area, including the farmers are facing a huge loss. The district administration and the state government have extended all possible assistance to the villagers.

DVC released huge amount of water ahead of Pujas as a result of which vast stretches of Udaynarayanpur and some other parts of districts were flooded. The water receded after Durga Puja ended. The areas that were badly hit are Harali, Pratap Chawk, Sultanpur, Harsihpur and Ghola.

Aman paddy cultivated on 2258 hectares of land was completely destroyed while Ayush paddy on 413 hectares was also ruined. Huge quantities of vegetables have been damaged. Farmers are spending sleepless night as the money invested on their crops has gone into vain. According to an estimate, vegetables produced on 131 hectares were completely destroyed.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee blamed the Centre for not properly carrying out dredging in various barrages. Banerjee often criticizes the Centre-owned agencies for not taking up adequate measures to increase the water holding capacity of barrages. Banerjee had said the DVC released around 70,000-75,000 cusec water resulting in inundation mostly in delta areas.

Following the CM's instruction, round-the-clock monitoring cell was opened under new chief secretary Rajiva Sinha to keep tabs on the situation.