Water from Maithon, Panchet dams not causing floods: Damodar Valley Corporation

KOLKATA: Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) today said release of water from its system was not a reason for the flooding in the downstream areas.

"The flooding over the past few days is mainly due to the high tidal effects and Komen depression related rainfall. The combined release on August 3 was 95,000 cusecs, which is lower than the safe downstream channel carrying capacity of the Damodar river which is 1,10,000 cusecs," DVC said in a statement.

In spite of unprecedented heavy rainfall in Jharkhand and West Bengal over the last few days, DVC dams at Panchet and Maithon have been able to moderate the flow of water to a significant extent of 68 per cent for the last two days, the statement said.

Moreover, all decisions towards water management of the Damodar River throughout the year was taken by the DVRRC (Damodar Valley Reservoir Regulation Committee) in consultation with the Central Water Commission, it stated.

"DVC strictly follows instructions of the DVRRC for operation of reservoirs and release of water," the statement said adding, in the five member committee, Chief Engineer, Irrigation of West Bengal was a member.

DVC chairman AWK Langstieh also visited Maithon to take stock of the flood moderation measures of DVC dams and expressed satisfaction with the steps taken by the organisation to moderate floods to the maximum extent possible in the current monsoon season, it said.

DVC statement added that between July 31 and August 3, the total inflow was 6,02,082 acre feet and total outflow was 2,29,252 acre feet.