Bengal takes anti-flash floods measures this year

Keeping in mind last year's flash floods in several south Bengal districts after sudden release of water from DVC dams, the West Bengal government has taken measures to prevent its repeat this year.
Stating this in the Assembly today, state Irrigation Minister Rajib Banerjee pointed out that steps had been taken to avoid flash floods and protect people living in those districts.
Replying to a question, Banerjee said his department was also in touch with the Jharkhand government and that a joint monitoring committee had been set up for the purpose to monitor the situation.
He said that officials of the state Irrigation Department accompanied by officials of the Damodar Valley Corporation had a meeting with their Jharkhand counterparts in this regard.

The irrigation secretary would again travel to Ranchi for further discussion, he said.
Steps were also under way to repair embankments of different rivers and prevent erosion of the Ganga.

Replying to a question, the Minister said Rs 146 crore had been sought from the Centre for the repair of the Teesta embankment, but nothing was available.
Banerjee said that the Centre had sanctioned Rs 348 crore for the repair of river embankments in 2013-14, but the government could not utilise it properly as the major part of this amount was made available at the fag end of the financial year.

The state government has also taken up programmes to enhance the water holding capacity of dams like the Kangsabati, the Mayurakshi and Durgapur barrages in the state, the Minister said.