DVC Releases 1.2 Lakh Cusecs, South Bengal on Alert

South Bengal is staring at a fresh flood threat as the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) decided to release a combined 1.20 lakh cusecs of water from the Maithon and Panchet reservoirs amid heavy rainfall and swelling inflows in the Damodar basin.

According to reports, 55,000 cusecs will be released from Maithon and 65,000 cusecs from Panchet, with the additional water flowing downstream through the Damodar towards the Durgapur Barrage. The rising discharge has put several downstream areas, particularly in Purba Bardhaman, Hooghly and Howrah, on heightened alert.

The decision comes against the backdrop of relentless rainfall in the upper catchment areas, including Jharkhand. Rising inflows into the reservoirs have put increasing pressure on the DVC system, prompting authorities to regulate the water levels through controlled releases.

Sanjeev Kumar, Member Secretary of the Damodar Valley Reservoir Regulation Committee (DVRRC), explained the reasoning behind the increased discharge. Speaking to The Statesman, he said, “Otherwise, we can’t maintain the sound health of the upper dams, as the downpour is causing the tributaries to pour into the dam ponds unchecked.” He further indicated that substantial releases could continue depending on rainfall and reservoir conditions.

The pressure on the downstream system has been building steadily. Reports said that the combined discharge from Maithon and Panchet had earlier reached 69,800 cusecs, while the discharge through Durgapur Barrage subsequently rose from 96,700 cusecs at 9 am to 1,11,600 cusecs by 3 pm.

The Damodar Valley Reservoir Regulation Committee and West Bengal’s Irrigation and Waterways Department have issued an Orange flood alert, with officials monitoring reservoir levels, rainfall and the movement of water downstream.

The concern extends beyond the volume being released from the reservoirs. Continued rainfall, tributary inflows and already elevated river levels could collectively place additional pressure on the lower Damodar basin. Low-lying areas along the river are considered particularly vulnerable if the discharge remains high or rises further.

Several areas have already recorded substantial rainfall. Reports cited 139.40 mm in Gangajalghati, 120 mm in Guskara and 99.60 mm in Asansol, highlighting the intensity of the rainfall across parts of the region.

DVC has attributed the increased discharge to heavy rainfall in the catchment areas and additional inflow from Jharkhand’s Tenughat reservoir. The corporation has indicated that the release could be reviewed depending on weather conditions and reservoir levels.

While the situation has raised concerns over flooding in South Bengal, officials have not indicated that the entire region is already inundated. The present situation is more accurately described as a heightened flood risk, with the severity likely to depend on how rainfall, upstream inflows and downstream river levels evolve over the coming hours.

For residents in vulnerable areas, authorities are maintaining close surveillance of the Damodar basin as the additional water moves downstream. Any further escalation in rainfall or reservoir inflow could necessitate additional water releases, potentially intensifying pressure on downstream communities.