Mon Jun 23 23:29:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Heavy rainfall and reservoir releases have caused severe flooding in several districts of West Bengal, including Ghatal and Garbeta in Paschim Midnapore, as well as parts of Bankura, Hooghly, and Howrah. The West Bengal government blames the Union Government for not releasing funds for the Ghatal Master Plan, a comprehensive flood management scheme proposed in 2014 to protect these areas. The State government claims a proposal for funding inclusion was sent in June 2022, but no money has been received. Political tensions are high, with the BJP accusing the Trinamool Congress MP of inaction, and the TMC countering by criticizing the BJP-led Union government’s lack of funding. Despite the ongoing crisis, the State government insists that progress is being made, with ongoing construction of sluices and dredging efforts. Two people have died due to drowning, and thousands have been evacuated due to floodwater inundation.

**News Article:**

**West Bengal Floods Spark Blame Game Amidst Devastation**

**KOLKATA, June 24, 2025** – Severe flooding across several districts of West Bengal, including Paschim Midnapore, Bankura, Hooghly, and Howrah, has triggered a political firestorm as the state government and the Union government trade accusations over responsibility for the crisis.

The flooding, caused by heavy rainfall and the release of water from reservoirs, has submerged several areas, including wards of the Ghatal municipality. The West Bengal government asserts that the Union Government has failed to release crucial funds for the Ghatal Master Plan, a comprehensive flood management scheme designed to mitigate flooding in the flood-prone Purba Medinipur and Paschim Medinipur areas.

According to the State government, a Detailed Project Report was submitted in 2014, with a formal proposal for inclusion sent in June 2022 under the Central Flood Management and Border Area Programme. However, state officials claim no funds have been allocated to the project by the Union government.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC) have engaged in a heated exchange, with former BJP MP Locket Chatterjee criticizing the delay in implementing the Ghatal Master Plan, originally slated for completion by December 31, 2024. The BJP has also accused the TMC MP from Ghatal, Dev Adhikari, of being an “absentee representative.”

The State government retorted by accusing the Union government of inaction, claiming that no funds have been sanctioned for the Ghatal Master Plan despite repeated appeals. West Bengal Minister for the Irrigation and Waterways Department, Manas Ranjan Bhuiyan, stated that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has approved ₹1,500 crore for the Ghatal Master Plan in the State Budget for 2025-26, with ₹500 crore allocated this time.

Despite the political sparring, state authorities maintain that work is underway on the Ghatal Master Plan, with an anticipated completion date of March 2027. The Irrigation and Waterways Department reported that construction of sluices is 60-70% complete, dredging of the Chandreswar Khal is nearly finished, and work on pump houses is set to begin soon.

The human cost of the floods is significant. Two people have reportedly drowned in the Ghatal area, and thousands have been evacuated from their homes. Considerable damage has also been inflicted on agricultural lands, homes, and infrastructure. The West Bengal government has initiated extensive relief efforts, including rescue operations and flood shelters.

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