West Bengal flood crisis: Climate change or dam failure?| Nilanjan Ghosh explains

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, ecological economist Nilanjan Ghosh, Head of the Centre for New Economic Diplomacy at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), examines the recent floods in north Bengal and questions whether they were a natural calamity or the outcome of flawed water governance. Drawing from years of research in ecological economics and river basin systems, Ghosh argues that floods are not disasters in themselves but become destructive when human encroachment, unscientific dam releases, and outdated engineering models interfere with river ecosystems. He critically evaluates the role of hydropower projects along the Teesta and other Himalayan rivers, the legacy of colonial-era water control systems, and why storage-based dams in seismic and climate-unstable zones could prove dangerous. Ghosh explains how sediment flow, cloudburst unpredictability, lack of basin-level coordination, and transboundary data-sharing gaps (especially with Bhutan, Nepal, and China) have intensified flood damages. Citing global trends in dam decommissioning, he calls for a shift from reductionist engineering to holistic, ecosystem-based governance. He also discusses the shrinking Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta, the ecological consequences of embankments, urban encroachments into river corridors, and the urgent need for integrated river basin management rooted in sustainability, equity, and climate resilience. Context North Bengal recently witnessed devastating floods after intense rainfall triggered flash deluges, raising allegations around dam water discharge and systemic mismanagement. With over 30 hydropower projects operating along the Teesta basin and increasing climate instability, experts warn of growing disaster risks unless policies shift from control to coexistence. Highlights: -Are floods natural or “man-made” damages? -The ecological cost of hydropower projects in the Himalayas -Sediment disruption and the shrinking Ganga delta -Why colonial flood control models no longer work -Seismic risks and unpredictability of cloudbursts -Encroachment, urbanisation, and the destruction of floodplains -Why India needs transboundary data-sharing and basin-level governance Perfect for: -Students of environmental studies, climate policy, and development economics -Researchers, hydrologists, and policy practitioners -Journalists covering climate disasters and infrastructure politics -Citizens concerned about ecological governance and disaster risk -Viewers tracking Himalayan climate challenges and river politics Credits: Host: Suhrid Sankar Chattopadhyay Camera: Jayanta Shaw Editing: Razal Pareed Producer: Kavya Pradeep M Originally published on October 27, 2025 Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online... Follow us on: Facebook - / frontlineindia Twitter - / frontline_india Instagram - / frontline.magazine LinkedIn - / frontline-magazine-b12921295