Though a total of 222 blocks in 12 districts of West Bengal have been affected by the rise in water in rivers, the state government has not been able to declare even a single block "flood-affected" as the deluge has been caused by the release of water from dams and barrages and not because of incessant rain. As a result, the West Bengal government cannot claim any financial assistance from the Central government of India as the areas cannot be officially declared "flood-affected".