NEW DELHI: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee voiced concerns over air and water pollution caused due to the “war” that has broken out in many regions, urging the Centre to take diplomatic initiatives and help de-escalate these ongoing conflicts.Speaking in the state assembly during a discussion on environmental issues, Banerjee said global warfare not only threatens peace but also contributes to pollution. “War has broken out in many parts of the world. Such things cause air and water pollution. We have to take steps to stop this,” she said.These comments from the TMC leader come amidst the backdrop of escalating conflicts in the Middle East as Iran and Israel exchanged hundreds of drones and missiles. These tensions arose over a week ago, turning more volatile as the US entered the West-Asian conflict, bombing three major Iranian nuclear sites on Sunday.Mamata called the foreign ministry to initiate peace efforts, “External affairs come under the Indian government. Diplomatically, peacefully, we must take initiative so that war stops.” “I am not authorised to speak on external affairs and diplomatic issues. This is my personal view as a concerned citizen of this world,” PTI quoted the chief minister.Addressing the flood situation in Ghatal sub-division of Paschim Medinipur district, she criticised the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) for failing to carry out dredging at its Maithon and Panchet dams, despite repeated reminders. She also accused the DVC of releasing excess water from its Maithon and Panchet dams during the monsoon without proper communication with the state. “They are releasing water without informing us. They have not conducted dredging operations for many years,” Banerjee said.She claimed that if regular dredging had been undertaken, the dams could have held significantly more water. “Now, DVC has the accumulated capacity to store one lakh cusec of water in its dams. Had they undertaken dredging operations regularly, four lakh cusecs of water could have been stored in their dams and such overflowing in vast parts of south Bengal won’t recur,” she said in the assembly.West Bengal irrigation minister Manas Bhuniya on Monday said that nearly two lakh people have been affected by floods in Ghatal sub-division of Paschim Medinipur district and assured that the government is taking all necessary measures to assist those stranded.He blamed the DVC for worsening the situation by failing to regulate the release of water from its dams in Jharkhand, despite repeated appeals from the state’s irrigation department.Bhuniya added that he has written to the DVC chairman, urging the agency to act responsibly and exercise greater caution while discharging excess water in the future.