Gujarat flood a 'man-made disaster'

Cong alleges BJP govt refused to release water from Narmada dam when farmers needed it

- DILIP SINGH KSHATRIYA

AMID blame game by political parties over floods in parts of Gujarat, Brackish Water Research Centre, which has been operating in the state since 2003, has said it was a "manmade disaster".

Brackish Water Research Centre works to safeguard the maritime environment for the benefit of coastal communities. In an email to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, it accused the state government of causing the flood in Bharuch. The lengthy mail blamed "human negligence" for the flood in Bharuch.

"The Central Water Commission provided the most important prediction and statistical information for the Sardar Sarovar Dam to officials of the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Corporation on September 17 and 18. It was projected that 33,000 cumex (11 lakh cusec) of water would be released. In comparison, the greatest inflow was 63,950 cumex (22.58 lakh cusecs).