No floods yet, but Bengal ready to tackle situation: minister

The West Bengal government is ready to tackle any situation arising out of heavy rains, but the state is yet to experience any flood-like situation, according to the state Irrigation Minister Rajib Banerjee.
"The administration is prepared to cope with any situation arising out of heavy rains so far and that is predicted in the state in the next 48 hours," Banerjee told reporters at his office speaking about the latest situation.
Banerjee said that the state had received 50 per cent rainfall of the entire monsoon till July 22 and in the last three days different parts of the state had recorded from 159 mm to 308 mm rainfall resulting in waterlogging in many areas under different districts.

"Several areas under Lubpur, Sainthia and part of Suri in Birbhum district and Kandi, Nabagram, Bharatpur-I and Baroa still remained inundated due to heavy rains in last few days," the Minister said.
Banerjee also said that the rivers like Kue and Dwarka in Murshidabad district and Bagla river along the border of Murshidabad and Birbhum districts were flowing above danger mark.
"Release of water from different barrages has also been brought down with the release of 1,153 cusec from Massanjore dam, 2,600 cusec from Tilpara barrage and 25,000 cusec from the DVC system," Banerjee said.

"Even as there is no breach of embankment as yet, the state government has taken up all precautionary measures to prevent any such damages and plug loopholes in vulnerable areas," he said.

"In the event of further heavy rainfall, we are alert to cope with the situation. The Task Force set up by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the purpose is continuously monitoring the situation," Banerjee said.
"District magistrates have also been asked to take prompt action in case of inundation and keep ready relief materials to meet the requirement," he added.
The MeT department has warned of heavy to very heavy rains at isolated placed over Gangetic West Bengal during the next two to three days following depression that has formed over north Bay of Bengal.