As several wards of Ghatal municipality in Paschim Medinipur lay submerged due to excessive rainfall in the last several days, the West Bengal Government blamed the Union Government for not releasing funds for the Ghatal Master Plan.
The Ghatal Master Plan is a comprehensive flood management scheme by the West Bengal government, aimed particularly at the flood-prone areas in Purba Medinipur and Paschim Medinipur. The Detailed Project Report was sent to the Ganga Flood Control Commission under the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti in December 2014, according to the West Bengal government. The project remains incomplete.
Flood-like situation in South Bengal as rain, DVC water release raise river levels
Meanwhile, like most years, this year too, places including Ghatal and Garbeta in Paschim Midnapore district, and certain areas of Bankura, Hooghly, and Howrah districts have been flooded due to excessive rain and the release of water from reservoirs, leading to a surge in local rivers.
Despite extensive relief efforts by the West Bengal government, including rescue operations and flood shelters, two people reportedly lost their lives due to drowning in the flood-hit Ghatal area last week. Thousands had to be evacuated from their homes, and considerable damage has been incurred in agricultural lands, homes, and roads.
