WB Govt launches emergency helpline number 1070 for flood situation

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee today reached Kolkata at 4:30 PM IST. Without wasting any time, she conducted a meeting with the Home Secretary and other senior officials at the airport itself.

The Chief Minister said that 26000 people have been shifted to relief camps so far. “Our priority is to provide relief to stranded people and carry on with rescue operations,” she added.

The government has launched an emergency helpline number. People can call 1070 for any information related to the relief operations.

Highlights of WB CM’s press briefing at Dumdum airport:

  • I met senior officials at airport itself. I took stock of the flood situation in the State from Home Secretary
  • I cut short my London visit due of the flood situation and impending cyclone. Dr Mitra and other officials are in London for meetings
  • We have dispatched relief materials to the affected areas. We are taking all measures to stand by the side of people
  • No one can control nature. We feel saddened at the losses due to heavy rains. Our priority is to provide relief to stranded people and carry on with rescue operations
  • Many houses and farm lands have been affected due to heavy rains. We will do everything possible to help people
  • We are monitoring the situation. District administration has been alerted. People in coastal areas must be careful

 

Tweets of WB CM from Dumdum airport:

Aparupa Poddar speaks on the flood situation in Arambagh | Transcript

Thank you Madam, for giving me this opportunity. Annual flood has been a regular feature of Arambagh sub-division in Hooghly district of West Bengal. When Damodar Valley Corporation was conceived it was expected that two dams will be constructed in the lower Damodar area.  But ultimately they did not come up and as a result when dams in upper region of Damodar river release water in rainy season, the entire sub-division gets flooded with the water of rivers Darakeswar, Mundeswari and Shilavati which discharge their water in Damodar. Also, overflow in the bank causes loss of crops and creates misery to the people of the entire sub-division.

A Central scheme over Damodar region is needed to save Arambagh sub-division and Uluberia sub-division of Howrah District.  I will urge upon the Ministry of Water Resource to take up the matter immediately and ensure enough dredging of Damodar while interlinking of other rivers with the channels, or by both systems in which there will be immediate protection of people.