DVC meets Bengal govt on flood mangement coordination

Damodar Valley Corporation has assured West Bengal government of support and better co-ordination with regard to release of water from its dams as better monsoon rains forecast this year is likely to trigger floods.
DVC chairman A W K Langstieh yesterday met West Bengal Chief Secretary Basudeb Banerjee and assured full-cooperation from the company's end in flood-control management this monsoon, company sources said.
Parts of the state faced floods last year when monsoon was not evenly spread and about 37 lakh people in 12 districts were affected.
West Bengal government has already taken steps to ensure better flood management and two senior officials have been posted at the DVC headquarters to monitor the situation and ensure greater cooridniation on release of water from dams.

Last year Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had directly blamed DVC for floods in some parts of the state. The government had alleged that sudden release of water from DVC dams without proper intimation had caused loss of lives and livestock.
DVC had countered the allegations saying release of water from Maithon and Panchet dams was decided by DVRRC (Damodar Valley Reservoir Regulation Committee) in consultation with Central Water Commission.
DVC had also said state government officials are part of the the DVRRC and thus it was not proper to blame the company.