Kolkata: The Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), in coordination with the Irrigation Departments of West Bengal and Jharkhand, has effectively managed a major flood event in the Damodar Valley by achieving 70% flood moderation. The coordinated efforts helped reduce the combined peak inflow of around 4 lakh cusecs to a peak outflow of approximately 1.2 lakh cusecs from the Maithon and Panchet reservoirs.
The flood event, triggered by continuous rainfall and a low-pressure system over parts of West Bengal and Jharkhand, was managed through advance planning, regular weather monitoring and calibrated water releases from DVC’s two major reservoirs.
DVC Achieves 70% Flood Moderation in Damodar Valley
The Damodar Valley Reservoir Regulation Committee (DVRRC), a joint institutional body involving DVC and the Irrigation Departments of West Bengal and Jharkhand, played a key role in regulating reservoir releases.
Since the beginning of the monsoon, and particularly over the past few weeks, the committee regularly analysed:
- Weather forecasts
- Rainfall patterns
- Reservoir water levels
- Available reservoir capacity
- Downstream carrying capacity
Based on these assessments, water releases from Maithon and Panchet reservoirs were calibrated to maintain adequate storage capacity for periods of heavy rainfall.
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Peak Inflow of 4 Lakh Cusecs Reduced to 1.2 Lakh Cusecs
The continuous rainfall and low-pressure system resulted in a combined peak inflow of nearly 4 lakh cusecs into the reservoir system from the last week of August through the early hours of September 3.
However, advance preparation and controlled releases enabled DVC and the DVRRC to substantially moderate the flood.
Key figures:
- Peak inflow: 4 lakh cusecs
- Peak release from Maithon-Panchet: 1.2 lakh cusecs
- Flood moderation achieved: 70%
- Status: Fourth-highest flood moderation in DVC’s history
The controlled release helped maintain the flood cushion in the reservoirs while limiting downstream discharge.
Pre-Release Strategy Helped Create Flood Cushions
According to the DVRRC, controlled peak pre-release from the Maithon-Panchet reservoirs began at around 20,000–25,000 cusecs and was subsequently increased to a maximum of 50,000 cusecs.
The strategy aimed to:
- Keep reservoir levels below 80% during the critical period.
- Maintain adequate flood cushion in Maithon and Panchet.
- Consider the downstream carrying capacity at Rhondia.
- Switch to inflow-based regulation as conditions evolved.
DVRRC Member Secretary Sanjeev Kumar said the flood moderation was possible because preparations for creating flood cushions had started with moderate discharges from mid-August.
Jharkhand Irrigation Department Plays Key Role
DVC also highlighted the role of the Jharkhand Irrigation Department in the coordinated flood-management exercise.
For the first time, releases from the Tenughat reservoir were also managed in close coordination among the three stakeholders of the DVRRC.
The coordination between DVC, West Bengal and Jharkhand helped facilitate integrated reservoir management during the period of intense rainfall.
Durgapur Barrage Discharge Also Regulated
The impact of controlled releases from the upper reservoirs was also reflected in the discharge at Durgapur Barrage.
The barrage discharge rose to 1.48 lakh cusecs at 4 pm on September 3, from 1.38 lakh cusecs at 10 am. It was subsequently brought down to 1.16 lakh cusecs at 3 pm on September 4.
Sanjoy Majumdar, Executive Engineer, Damodar Headworks of the West Bengal Irrigation Department, attributed the regulation to the well-managed outflow from the upper reservoirs.
DVC discharge from the upper dams also declined from around 1.20 lakh cusecs to 98,000 cusecs within hours during the peak management period.
70% Moderation Among DVC’s Highest Historical Achievements
DVC said large-scale flood moderation events of this magnitude have been relatively rare in the history of the Damodar Valley.
The major recorded instances cited by DVC include:
- October 1963: 81% flood moderation
- September 1978: 79%
- October 1963: 73% in another recorded event
- October 1973: 70%
- September 2026: 70%
The latest achievement therefore ranks among the highest levels of flood moderation recorded in the Damodar Valley.
Floodwater Enters Several Blocks in West Bengal
Despite the significant moderation, floodwater entered several blocks in parts of West Bengal following the heavy rainfall.
Affected areas included:
- Sonamukhi in Bankura
- Khandaghosh, Galsi, Jamalpur and Raina in East Burdwan
- Goghat and Khanakul in Hooghly
The developments highlighted the continuing flood-management challenges in the lower Damodar Valley despite controlled reservoir releases.
West Bengal Government Acknowledges DVC Coordination
West Bengal Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul, speaking in Durgapur, said the state government did not blame DVC for the increased releases.
She said DVC had duly informed the state government before scaling up the discharge and stressed that the administration does not hide or suppress relevant data.
The statement comes amid discussions over flood management and reservoir releases during the latest spell of heavy rainfall.
DVC, West Bengal and Jharkhand Demonstrate Coordinated Flood Management
The latest flood-management exercise demonstrated the importance of coordinated reservoir regulation among the three stakeholders.
DVC said the achievement reflects the collective commitment of DVC, the Government of West Bengal, the Government of Jharkhand and the DVRRC towards protecting downstream communities and reducing the impact of floods in the Damodar Valley.
The coordinated approach combined advance reservoir planning, continuous monitoring and regulated releases to maximise flood-storage capacity during the intense rainfall period.
About Damodar Valley Corporation
Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) is a statutory organisation responsible for integrated development and management of the Damodar River Valley. Its functions include power generation, water management, irrigation and flood control, with its reservoir system playing an important role in managing water flows across the Damodar Valley.
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