Kolkata, Sep 18 (UNI) West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday slammed the Centre for the flood-like situation in parts of South Bengal districts, calling it "a man made flood".
"This is man made flood to save their states and so the DVC (Damodar Valley Corporation) released the water," Banerjee said during a visit to the affected areas.
While on a spot visit to Pursura in Hooghly district, Banerjee asked the concerned officials to ensure safety for the affected people and ensure supplies of essentials.
She blamed the Centre for the inundation of vast areas in some South Bengal districts.
Banerjee claimed the DVC released water without warning and alleged that it was a premeditated bid to sink Bengal so as to save neighbouring states. She claimed about 3.5 lakh cusecs of water was released.
The DVC after a deep depression released water which inundated vast areas of Hooghly, Howrah, East Bardhaman and some other neighbouring districts as dykes gave in and inundated the villages and cultivated
lands.
Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari contradicting the CM's claim said it was her ploy and strategy to shift the blame that was getting old and repetitive. "CM Mamata Banerjee, your ploy and strategy to
shift blame is getting old and repetitive. Every time around this time you utter these words - "Man made Flood" and try to hold the Central Govt, the Jharkhand Govt and the DVC responsible for floods in West Bengal.
"However ,the truth is that you and your Irrigation & Waterways Department are an utter failure. Neither you take any preventive or precautionary measures before the monsoons nor have you taken any steps to boost the infrastructure in order to tackle the annual problem." said Adhikari.
"As far as I remember, the World Bank approved Rs. 5000 crore loan to WB Govt to build and operate new irrigation structures such as flood walls, river embankment armouring, desilting the adjoining rivers, creating small-scale storage structures, creek rehabilitation, digging canals etc to manage the flood situation in the Lower Damodar Basin area. 75 percent of the funds have been drawn. What is the result? " asked the Nandigram MLA on his X handle. UNI PC SSP