West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued a scathing critique of the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) and Kolkata's primary power utility, CESC, attributing the catastrophic impacts of record-breaking overnight rains to their operational lapses. The deluge, the heaviest in nearly four decades, unleashed widespread flooding across Kolkata, paralyzing transportation networks, submerging homes and streets, and claiming at least eight lives through electrocutions from exposed live wires. With Durga Puja festivities just days away, the crisis has compounded public distress, prompting swift governmental interventions to mitigate further suffering.

Banerjee, in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), detailed the multifaceted failures that amplified the disaster. She accused the DVC of unilateral water releases from its reservoirs, which overwhelmed already saturated rivers and canals. Compounding this, the Farakka Barrage—receiving massive inflows from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh—suffered from inadequate dredging, severely restricting its capacity to manage floodwaters. "The state was already reeling under floods... On top of that, this massive downpour happened," Banerjee stated, emphasizing her ongoing oversight through Kolkata's mayor and the state chief secretary.

The human toll has been devastating, with Banerjee expressing profound grief over the electrocution deaths, which she directly linked to CESC's negligence in securing electrical infrastructure amid the downpour. "I express my deepest condolences to the families who lost their kin on account of negligence of the CESC. There can be no compensation for death and no alternative to life," she wrote. In a gesture of solidarity, the Chief Minister announced that the state government would provide employment to one family member from each affected household and urged CESC to disburse an additional ₹5 lakh in compensation per victim.

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To safeguard public safety, Banerjee directed all state-run educational institutions to observe holidays for the next two days and advised government employees to work from home. She extended this appeal to the private sector, imploring workers to prioritize safety over routine operations. Educational institutions had already been shuttered earlier in the day, and Banerjee lamented the personal and cultural ramifications: "Even our houses are submerged; we are all suffering. I am feeling so bad for the Pujo pandals as well... I never experienced rain like this ever before in my life."

Transportation disruptions were severe, with flights delayed or canceled at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, trains halted on key routes, and roads rendered impassable due to knee-deep waterlogging. The state government activated a round-the-clock control room at Nabanna secretariat, sharing helpline numbers for residents to report emergencies and seek assistance. Banerjee warned of escalating risks from impending high tides in the River Ganga, which could hinder drainage efforts: "Where will we pump out the water? The river is already full... Where will we send this water?"

In a broader indictment, Banerjee targeted the central government for fiscal shortfalls, alleging that GST fund reductions had depleted state resources essential for disaster management. "They are slashing state funds through GST," she charged, underscoring the financial strain of repeated calamity responses. As recovery efforts intensify, with officials working tirelessly to restore normalcy, Banerjee's address underscores the urgent need for infrastructural reforms and inter-state coordination to fortify Kolkata against future climate-induced vulnerabilities.

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