Flood-like situation develops in Bengal, Mamata visits affected villages in Howrah, Hooghly

"It's a man-made flood. Our administration is always with the flood-affected people and our officials are trying their best to handle the situation," Banerjee said.

She also held an administrative meeting at Amta in Howrah district, following her visit to flood-hit areas.

Till 3 pm. on Thursday, the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) has released 2,49,950 cusec water from its Durgapur dam in West Bengal and 2,25,052 cusec, 1,56,367 cusec and 14,949 cusec water from Panchet, Galudih and Chandil dams respectively in neighbouring Jharkhand district, leaving several villages in 104 development blocks in as many as 19 district submerged.

According to officials, at least 162 relief camps have been opened at the affected areas and nearly 50,000 people have taken shelter there.

Over 15 lakh people have been affected in the flood-like situation in Bengal.

According to officials, at least 16 deaths have been reported so far from several districts.

Disaster Management Group (DMG) personnel and 44 medical teams as well as National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams from the Centre are currently continuing rescue operations at the affected zones.

Nearly 2,03,017 hectare crop areas are reeling under water, resulting a price-hike of vegetables in the market.

Several villages and development blocks in Howrah, Hooghly, East Medinipur, Birbhum, East Burdwan, Birbhum, Bankura, Purulia and Murshidabad districts have been submerged.

A state official told IBNS that as many as 7868 residential properties have been inundated due to the flood-water while at least 64,361 houses have been damaged in the flood-hit zones.