'Unilateral release of water by DVC': Mamata blames Centre for flood-like situation in Bengal; BJP calls her 'pathological liar'

The Chief Minister said it was a "deliberate ploy" by the Centre-run DVC to cause disaster in the state.

Mamata wrote on X, "The latest update on the unilateral and wilful release of water by DVC is that they have by the evening today released more than 150,000 cusecs of water from Maithon and Panchet dams etc to flood our West Bengal during festival times.

"This is a deliberate ploy to unleash disaster on us in order to inflict pains on millions when they are still busy in the Pujas. Shameful, intolerable, unacceptable! We protest!!"

Earlier, the Chief Minister had written, "Bijoya Dashami marks the close of Durga Puja — a time for joy, cheer and renewed hope. Yet instead of allowing the people of West Bengal to conclude the festival in peace, the DVC released 65,000 cusecs of water without any prior notice to the State. This reckless act is nothing short of an attempt to inflict misery during our sacred festivities.

"Such unilateral action is shameful and absolutely unacceptable. By releasing water without intimation, the DVC has placed millions of lives in Bengal in immediate peril. This is not a natural calamity, it is a disaster manufactured by the DVC. Let me be clear: I will not allow anyone to carry out a Bisarjan of Bengal. Every conspiracy against our people will be resisted with full force. Truth will prevail over deceit and good will triumph over evil. Joy Maa Durga!"

Contradicting Mamata's claims, DVC sources were quoted by The Telegraph saying the water was released due to rainfall in the upper catchments of Damodar River in Jharkhand.

The sources claimed all necessary information was shared with the West Bengal government.

Sharing a document, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) IT Cell head Amit Malviya called Mamata "a pathological liar" and stated the West Bengal government was informed.

Malviya wrote on X, "West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is a pathological liar. Anticipating floods in the lower Damodar basin, particularly in Hooghly and Howrah, she has proactively shrugged off all responsibility of her government and started blaming the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC)."

"... The truth is, DVC has been the saviour of West Bengal. Year after year, the state would have been washed away had the DVC system not existed. Mamata Banerjee’s claim that water is released without intimation is an utter lie. Documents prove West Bengal government officials are part of the committee that collectively decides on water release. Stop the blame game. Do your job, Mamata Banerjee."