Kolkata, Oct 6 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday called the floods and the ensuing destruction in north Bengal “man-made”, and blamed the DVC for "unrestricted" release of water, resulting in overflowing rivers in the southern parts of the state.

Banerjee also announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of those who died in the floods and landslides, besides offering a job of home guard to one member of the bereaved families.

“We have so far received reports of 23 people who have died in the north Bengal floods. The region received over 300 mm of rainfall, sustaining for over 12 hours on Saturday night and early Sunday,” she said.

The CM was talking to reporters at Kolkata airport before leaving for Bagdogra to oversee relief and rescue operations in the flood-ravaged areas of north Bengal.

Incessant rainfall in the upper reaches of the state over the last 48 hours have led to widespread flooding in the districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduars and Cooch Behar, officials said.

The Nagrakata area of the Dooars and the Mirik region in Darjeeling are the worst affected on account of landslides and residential properties getting washed away, they said.

“From the night before last, the chief secretary, the DGP, and I closely monitored the North Bengal situation. In North Bengal... there was over 300 mm of rainfall, which continued for 12 hours straight. Then, water from Bhutan gushed in through the Sankosh (river), and Sikkim’s water flooded several areas,” Banerjee said.

She pointed towards the Hooghly river flowing close to the danger mark, and alleged that water from Bihar and UP were being released from Farakka, leaving Bengal’s rivers in a vulnerable state.

“The DVC is releasing water as per its wish. The lack of desiltation of Maithon and Panchet reservoirs has significantly reduced their water retention capacity. The DVC is doing this to save Jharkhand from flooding and Bengal is bearing the brunt. We don’t mind that Jharkhand needs to be saved. But, we have our throats sore from asking them to carry out de-siltation for the last two decades now,” the CM said.

“Why do you need to have the dams? The water could have flowed in its natural course and naturally drained out. All states could then have shared the impact equally. But, it is Bengal that’s at the receiving end. The water is being released through the Durgapur and Farakka barrages, and our roads and bridges are getting washed out,” she said.

Banerjee said she has received a communication from the Bhutan government on Sunday, expressing sympathies.

“We had requested them to release water slowly because once it is released, it takes 2-3 days to reach us. Still, with the amount they released, Nagrakata was washed away, along with Dhupguri and many areas of Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Matigara, Darjeeling, and Mirik. The worst-affected regions are Nagrakata and Mirik, as well as Jorebunglow and Kalimpong,” she stated.

Banerjee said many tourists have already been rescued, though one person from Diamond Harbour remains missing.

“We will bring back about 500 tourists today from the region. We are using 45 Volvo buses and buses of the North Bengal State Transport Corporation, and have made temporary stay arrangements for others in Siliguri,” she said, adding that the state government has left instructions with the hotels not to evacuate stranded tourists.

“Bringing all tourists back is our responsibility,” the chief minister asserted.

Banerjee stated that she, accompanied by Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, would reach Hashimara first and head towards the flood-ravaged area of Nagrakata. She will move towards the affected regions of Mirik on Tuesday.

“The DGP has already reached north Bengal. I have asked minister Aroop Biswas and Siliguri Mayor Goutam Deb to reach Dhupguri to oversee relief operations,” she said.

Banerjee also accused the Centre of stopping funds for flood relief measures, and said the state government was “somehow” managing the situation on its own.

“The money they use for vote rigging, to politically manipulate the Election Commission; they have stopped Bengal’s funds for floods, roads, housing, everything. Even though GST was implemented, which we supported for the people, we have suffered a loss of Rs 20,000 crore.

“The Centre owes us Rs 1.85 lakh crore. Add another Rs 20,000 crore to that. Where will we get the money from?” she asked.

Warning of more water swelling in the state’s rivers in the next 48 hours on account of the scheduled high tide, Banerjee said waterlogging has already occurred once more in East Midnapore’s Ghatal, which is a low-lying area, “because of DVC’s Panchet and Maithon release”. “The Ghatal Master Plan has not been implemented even 20 years after the Centre promised it, so we are doing it ourselves. But even if that is completed, as long as DVC keeps releasing water like this, we will need another way to deal with it,” she said.

“In Sikkim, they have built 40 hydropower projects on the Teesta; where will that water drain? It is coming to Siliguri, Matigara, and Kalimpong. We are facing the problems, while they are earning money,” the CM alleged. PTI SMY RBT