Overview of Report No. 2 of 2019-Economic Sector, Government of West Bengal of 2017-18
Floods have been a recurrent phenomenon, causing loss of lives, public property and bringing untold misery to the people, especially those in rural areas. There is also a larger economic impact, as they derail economic activities, thus affecting growth. Indian sub-continent has peculiar climatic conditions, which cause floods in some parts whereas drought in other parts. West Bengal is one of the prime flood prone States in the country with 42 per cent (37660 sq. km.) of its total geographical area (88752 sq. km.) being susceptible to floods.
During the period from 2013 to 2017, there was loss of 1012 human lives and properties worth Rs. 43997.27 crore (that included cost of crops,houses, cattle and public utilities lost) due to floods, as reported by the West Bengal Government to Central Water Commission.