West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (PTI photos)

Mamata Banerjee writes to PM Modi over Bengal floods, seeks urgent action

In the letter to PM Modi, Mamata Banerjee urged the Centre to immediately release central funds to mitigate the widespread devastation caused by the floods. 

by · India Today

In Short

  • Mamata Banerjee blames DVC for releasing 5 lakh cusec water
  • Bengal Chief Minister seeks immediate central funds for flood relief
  • Political tension rises between TMC and BJP

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over floods in the state. Reiterating her call to severe ties with Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), she stated that DVC released about 5 lakh cusec of water, triggering floods in South Bengal districts.

In the letter to PM Modi, Mamata Banerjee urged the Centre to immediately release central funds to mitigate the widespread devastation caused by the floods.

"The state is now facing the biggest floods in Lower Damodar and adjoining areas after 2009. l earnestly request that you give this matter serious consideration and direct the concerned ministries to address these issues as top priority, including the sanction and release of substantial central funds to undertake extensive flood management works in the interest of people, who suffer the most," she wrote.

Mamata alleged that the "unplanned and unilateral release" of a huge volume of water at "nearly 5 lakh cusecs from the combined system of Maithon and Panchet dams owned and maintained by DVC" triggered floods in Bengal.

On Thursday, Mamata Banerjee lambasted the Jharkhand government and ordered the sealing of the interstate border for three days.

Meanwhile, a fierce political showdown is brewing between the Trinamool Congress and BJP as tensions escalate over West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s "cutting ties with the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) and sealing borders with Jharkhand" orders. BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari, in a stern ultimatum to Mamata, stated, "Reopen the borders by 2 PM, or will file a formal complaint to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, the Home Minister, and the Governor."