Bengal's Flood Fury: Mamata Points Finger at Bhutan, Demands Compensation

West Bengal is once again grappling with the devastating aftermath of relentless floods, and this time, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee isn't holding back on where she believes the blame lies. In a fiery pronouncement, Banerjee has pointed a direct accusing finger at neighboring Bhutan, alleging that the unannounced release of water from the country’s reservoirs acted as a catastrophic trigger, submerging vast swathes of her state.

The Chief Minister’s strong condemnation comes amidst a period of intense rainfall that had already pushed West Bengal's rivers to their limits.

According to Banerjee, the sudden gush of water from Bhutan’s side, without adequate warning or coordination, overwhelmed existing flood management systems, leading to a humanitarian crisis. "We want compensation for the damages," she declared, emphasizing the severe economic and social disruption faced by millions of citizens.

This isn't the first time the issue of water management with Bhutan has surfaced.

Banerjee revealed that she had previously raised concerns with the Union government regarding the dam projects in Bhutan and their potential impact on downstream areas in West Bengal. Her administration has consistently argued for a more robust mechanism for information exchange and joint planning to prevent such calamities.

Beyond the Bhutanese allegations, the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) also found itself in the spotlight.

While the state government often criticizes DVC for untimely water releases from its barrages, contributing to floods in the lower Damodar basin, the immediate focus remained on the transboundary flow. The Chief Minister urged DVC to improve its dam and river management practices, highlighting that proactive measures are crucial to mitigate flood risks rather than merely reacting to crises.

The floods have inflicted widespread misery, displacing thousands, destroying homes, and inundating agricultural lands.

Villages have been cut off, essential services disrupted, and the livelihoods of countless families shattered. As rescue and relief operations continue in earnest, the political rhetoric is heating up, with calls for accountability and long-term solutions ringing louder than ever. Banerjee's demand for compensation from Bhutan marks a significant escalation in the discourse surrounding flood management in the region, bringing to the forefront the complex interplay of international relations, hydrological engineering, and local governance in the face of natural disasters.