Kolkata, 3 October (H.S.):

Barely days after Durga Puja, flood fears have resurfaced in several parts of West Bengal, with the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) releasing water from its reservoirs amid continuous rainfall across the state.

According to DVC and administrative sources, around 21,000 cusecs of water were discharged from Tenughat dam in Jharkhand on Thursday evening. By Friday morning, the water level at the reservoir had reached nearly 860 feet, dangerously close to the danger mark. The flow is now moving toward Panchet, while late-night releases from both Maithon and Panchet dams could add another 50,000 cusecs into the system.

The development has triggered fresh concern in South Bengal, where heavy rainfall since Vijaya Dashami has already led to waterlogging in several districts. Meteorological officials have warned that the low-pressure system may bring more rain on Ekadashi and Dwadashi, raising the risk of fresh inundation before Lakshmi Puja.

Earlier, continuous downpours and water released from DVC reservoirs had caused flooding in multiple districts just before Durga Puja. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had held the DVC responsible for that disaster. Now, residents fear a repeat of the same crisis, with many already worried that they may have to leave their homes if water levels rise again.

Officials in the state secretariat said that close monitoring of the situation is underway, despite the ongoing holidays. The Disaster Management Department has been instructed to remain on alert and be ready to respond swiftly if the situation worsens.

The possibility of flooding looms not only over Bengal but also parts of Jharkhand and Bihar, where incessant rainfall has further compounded the threat.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh