West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday blamed the release of water from barrages for the deterioration of the flood situation in two districts where 36 lakh people have been affected.She expressed hope the situation in all the affected districts will improve from Tuesday.Over 12 districts have been hit. Information collated from the districts revealed a death count of over 50 till Sunday due to heavy rain and floods. However, the chief minister maaintained the toll was 40."Rs.4 lakh compensation will provided to the families of those killed in the floods. Those who have lost limbs will be given Rs. 2 lakh and Rs.60,000 for those sustaining other injuries. Rs. 12,000 will be given to those with slight injuries," she said at Ashoknagar in North 24 Parganas.Banerjee, who personally monitored the flood situation overnight at the state secretariat Nabanna, distributed relief material in the area while Trinamool Congress leaders and MPs have been designated to cover other localities of the state."The flood situation has improved in Birbhum and Murshidabad districts, whereas condition in Bardhaman continues to be the same," she said earlier in the day."The flooding in Hooghly and Howrah districts have worsened and will deteriorate a bit further as DVC (Damodar Valley Corporation) has released more water," she said.
According to Irrigation Minister Rajib Banerjee, DVC has released 90,000 cusecs of water since last night compounding the woes of flood-hit residents.The Burdwan district administration requisitioned army help in relief and rescue in Patuli, Jaudanga and Babladange areas of the district on Monday."Headquarter Eastern Command is coordinating the relief efforts in consultation with the local administration. Flood relief column comprising Army Engineer Task Force and medical teams from the newly raised Trinetra Division are coordinating the work."The teams were equipped with boats and flood relief stores. They also provided immediate medical assistance to the injured and sick people," a defence release said.Primary relief work, such as distribution of food and medicines, are also being carried out by monks of the Ramakrishna Mission in the worst-affected areas of Murshidabad, Burdwan, Howrah and Hooghly districts.Banerjee said besides 47 municipalities, 210 blocks and 9,691 villages were affected by the flood due to heavy rains triggered by Cyclone Komen, marooning over 18 lakh people.Crops in over 2.1 lakh hectares of land were destroyed across the state, she said.
Banerjee assured all necessary help to the flood-hit people and requested the "moment of crisis" not be made a political issue.Stressing the government is and will provide all the necessary relief to those affected by this natural calamity, she appealed that "this moment of crisis should not be used for political purposes and individual gain"."Instead of engaging in slander sitting in TV studios, this is the time to stand by the affected and extend help. I prefer standing with people at the grassroots who have lost everything than to show up for discussions on TV," she said.However, opposition parties mocked the state government for its handling of the situation."Missing d Thames & d cool? CM may review & monitor. No flood tourism with her extra large team," tweeted CPI-M state secretary and leader of opposition in assembly Surjya Kanta Mishra on Sunday.Meanwhile, the Met office has forecast "heavy rainfall" in isolated places in south Bengal and sub-Himalayan regions of the state.On Sunday, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Banerjee over phone and inquired about the flood situation in the state.Exams at the Burdwan University have been deferred until the situation improves.