Subhechcha Ganguly 
Mamata Banerjee has accused the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) of releasing 5 lakh cusecs of water over three days, causing severe flooding in 11 districts of southern Bengal. This crisis has led to a confrontation with Jharkhand, prompting Banerjee to order the sealing of the inter-state border. She criticized Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, an ally in the INDIA bloc, for failing to respond to her appeals for assistance.
Mamata Banerjee criticized the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), which operates in both states, for its mismanagement of water releases. In response, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya described Banerjee’s decision as “hasty and unreasonable,” warning that it could lead to blockades of trucks carrying essential goods to Bengal. He noted that Jharkhand’s reservoirs were nearing danger levels due to heavy rainfall and highlighted that an inter-state committee is responsible for overseeing water releases from the dams.
Mamata Banerjee stated that the border was being closed to prevent vehicles from being swept away by floodwaters on the Bengal side. In response, the JMM, led by Hemant Soren, issued a warning of retaliation after Bengal Police started blocking trucks and other commercial vehicles from Jharkhand at the Dhanbad-West Burdwan border near Kulti. This action has intensified tensions between the two states.
