KOLKATA: The chief minister of West Bengal blamed authorities in neighbouring Jharkhand state on Friday for causing a flooding crisis by opening dams after 26 people were killed and 250,000 others were forced to relocate.

Television news images showed rescuers in boats ferrying people to safety in West Bengal, with a state-run hospital in one village completely inundated.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee told reporters that 26 people had been killed this week, with another 250,000 forced to leave their homes and find shelter.

She accused authorities in Jharkhand of “needlessly opening dam sluice gates” and releasing the waters that had inundated her state.

“The flooding is man-made,” she said, adding she had ordered the border with Jharkhand to be closed for three days in response.

Supriyo Bhattacharya, a member of the ruling coalition in Jharkhand, said his state had no choice but to ease pressure on the dams. “Holding back the water could have damaged the dams and led to massive floods in both the states,” he said. “Our government will naturally protect the interests of the people of Jharkhand.”

The Damodar Valley Corporation said it had “reduced” the release of water on Friday after rainfall eased.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2024