Instead of "blame-game", measures should be taken to manage floods: West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose
Sep 21, 2024
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], September 21 : After West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called floods in the state "man-made", the Governor CV Ananda Bose on Saturday said that instead of a "blame-game" long-term and short-term measures should be taken to manage floods in the state.
This came after CM Mamata Banerjee on Friday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the floods in the state, allegedly caused by the release of 5 lakh cusecs of water from Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC)-controlled dams.
CM Banerjee said the "man-made flood" severely impacted over 5 million people in Bengal and added that if the negligence continues, the state would sever all ties with the corporation.
The Chief Minister alleged that despite repeated warnings, the Centre had ignored the technical, mechanical, and managerial failures plaguing the DVC.
Meanwhile, Governor Bose stressed the need for "floodplain management" as a long-term measure to manage potential floods.
Speaking to ANI, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose said, "Flood situation is something which is to be viewed seriously. There are certain steps to be taken before, during and after the floods. Accidents are not accidental, there is a human factor behind it. What is now required is immediate rehabilitation and rescue of those who are affected by floods."
"As a long-term measure, there should be floodplain management. Floodplain management is very important and also watershed management. As far as possible, infrastructure should be calamity-resistant. There are many long term and short-term measures to be taken in managing floods. Those are the issues that should come into relevance now, not blame game," Bose said.
Earlier, Ananda Bose sought an explanation from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on the reports that the state government had sealed the interstate border with Jharkhand.
The Raj Bhavan sources said Governor Bose directed the Chief Minister under Article 167 of the Constitution to explain whether this report is correct and if so, reasons for doing this.
CM Banerjee on Thursday ordered that vehicle movement between Bengal and Jharkhand would be sealed after the water level rose and entered National Highway 16 at Panshkura.
Banerjee stated that the Bengal-Jharkhand border would be closed for three days. West Bengal shares a border with Jharkhand in the three districts of Paschim Medinipur, Purulia and Paschim Bardhaman.
On Friday, long queues of trucks carrying goods were observed at the Jharkhand-West Bengal border.
