Mamata Banerjee Blames Dams: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has once again stirred political and environmental debate by calling the devastating North Bengal floods a “man-made disaster.” Visiting flood-ravaged Jalpaiguri and Nagrakata, Banerjee accused the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), Farakka Barrage authorities, and neighboring Sikkim’s multiple hydropower projects of exacerbating the situation through the reckless and uncoordinated release of water.
The Chief Minister’s statement came amid unprecedented rainfall across North Bengal, which has crippled districts like Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, and Kalimpong, leaving scores dead, thousands displaced, and extensive property damage in its wake.
Unprecedented Rainfall and the Scale of Destruction
Between October 3 and October 6, 2025, several areas in North Bengal received over 300 mm of rainfall, the highest recorded in a decade. Rivers like Teesta, Torsa, Jaldhaka, and Raidak have overflowed, breaching embankments and submerging hundreds of villages and tea estates.
According to the West Bengal Disaster Management Department (wb.gov.in), more than 4 lakh residents across five districts have been affected. Railway lines connecting North Bengal to the rest of India were washed away, and National Highways 10 and 31 saw severe damage.
Electricity supply was disrupted in Mirik and Kalimpong for over 48 hours, while rescue operations had to be carried out by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) (ndrf.gov.in) and Indian Army units.
Mamata Banerjee’s Sharp Allegations Against Dams and DVC
During her field visit, Mamata Banerjee expressed strong criticism against the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), alleging that the agency released excess water from dams “without coordination or warning.”
She stated,
“The DVC and other dam authorities open the gates whenever they wish, and Bengal has to suffer the consequences. These floods are not natural—they are planned through negligence.”
Banerjee also highlighted the unregulated release of water from the Farakka Barrage, which, she claimed, worsened the situation downstream in the Jalpaiguri plains. The Chief Minister further pointed out the growing impact of hydropower projects in Sikkim, stating that over 40 dams have altered the natural flow of rivers entering Bengal, amplifying the disaster’s severity.
Mamata Banerjee Blames Dams: Political Storm Over ‘Man-Made’ Floods
The Chief Minister’s remarks have sparked sharp reactions from opposition parties. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused her of deflecting blame from the state’s own administrative failures.
BJP leaders pointed out that several long-pending flood management projects, including the Ghatal Master Plan, remain incomplete due to the state’s negligence.
The Indian National Congress and CPI(M) joined the criticism, alleging that Banerjee’s administration focused more on public events like the Durga Puja Carnival rather than on preventive measures in flood-prone districts.
Environmental Experts Support the ‘Man-Made’ Tag
Experts from the Central Water Commission (CWC) (cwc.gov.in) and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur have previously warned that the Himalayan river basins of North Bengal and Sikkim are ecologically fragile.
Rapid construction of hydropower projects, deforestation, and hill-cutting for roads and resorts have destabilized the terrain, making it highly susceptible to landslides and flash floods.
Dr. Arindam Saha, an environmental researcher, noted,
“The floods in North Bengal are not purely meteorological—they are hydro-engineered disasters. Human interference in river systems has reached unsustainable levels.”
On-Ground Crisis: Human Toll and Economic Impact
Thousands of people have been displaced as homes, schools, and tea gardens remain submerged. The Jalpaiguri District Magistrate’s Office (jalpaiguri.gov.in) confirmed that dozens of relief camps are operating with limited resources, while medical teams are battling the spread of waterborne diseases.
The Tea Board of India (teaboard.gov.in) estimates massive crop loss, as nearly 20% of North Bengal’s tea estates have been damaged. Local tourism, which thrives during the post-Durga Puja season, has also taken a severe hit.
Relief Operations and State Government Response
The West Bengal government has deployed multiple agencies to carry out rescue and relief operations. According to official statements, over 15,000 tarpaulins, 1 lakh food packets, and 50,000 liters of drinking water have been distributed in the worst-affected regions.
Chief Minister Banerjee has also requested a detailed report from district magistrates to evaluate damage and plan rehabilitation.
She announced a special package for the affected families, including compensation for the deceased, financial support for rebuilding homes, and immediate agricultural relief.
Call for Policy Reforms and Interstate Coordination
Mamata Banerjee reiterated her demand for an integrated river management system involving coordination between Bihar, Jharkhand, Sikkim, and Bengal, under the supervision of the Central Water Commission. She argued that unless dam releases are regulated scientifically, Bengal will continue to face recurring floods.
She also urged the Union Jal Shakti Ministry (jalshakti-dowr.gov.in) to monitor inter-state water flow more closely, especially during monsoon months.
Opposition Alleges Administrative Failure
While Banerjee continues to blame external factors, the opposition has intensified attacks on the Trinamool Congress government, claiming that the state lacks a modern disaster prediction and response system.
BJP’s Bengal unit accused the Chief Minister of prioritizing political optics over public safety.
“When North Bengal was drowning, the Chief Minister was attending the Puja Carnival in Kolkata. That reflects her government’s misplaced priorities,” said a BJP spokesperson.
Climate Change and the Himalayan Crisis
Meteorologists from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) (mausam.imd.gov.in) attribute part of the extreme rainfall to changing monsoon patterns influenced by global warming. Rising temperatures have intensified moisture retention in the Bay of Bengal, leading to heavier cloudbursts across the Himalayas.
They warn that such extreme events will become more frequent unless both state and central governments take proactive climate adaptation measures.
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Sustainable Development
The North Bengal floods of 2025 have once again revealed how fragile human settlements and infrastructure are in the face of natural—and human-induced—disasters. Mamata Banerjee’s “man-made disaster” statement underscores an urgent need for coordinated dam management, stricter environmental regulation, and resilient urban planning.
As Bengal rebuilds, experts emphasize that disaster prevention must become a central pillar of governance rather than an afterthought. The crisis serves as a stark reminder that unchecked development, without ecological foresight, will continue to exact devastating costs on both people and the planet.
Official Government Links (for reference):
- West Bengal Government – Disaster Management
- National Disaster Management Authority
- India Meteorological Department
- Central Water Commission
- Union Ministry of Jal Shakti
- NDRF – National Disaster Response Force
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