India Rejects Claims of Flooding from Farakka Barrage in Bangladesh
New Delhi: India has firmly refuted reports from Bangladesh alleging that the opening of the Farakka barrage in West Bengal is causing flooding in certain areas of the neighboring country. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed these claims on Monday, characterizing them as misinformation intended to create misunderstanding.
Jaiswal emphasized that allegations of the Farakka barrage exacerbating floods are baseless. He clarified that India regularly shares relevant data with the Joint River Commission officials in Bangladesh, including the latest information on water flow. “We have seen fake videos, rumors, and fear-mongering,” Jaiswal stated, urging a fact-based approach to the issue.
The spokesperson explained that the release of water from the Farakka barrage, which reportedly includes over 11 lakh cusecs flowing downstream, is a routine seasonal occurrence resulting from heavy rainfall in the Ganga river basin catchment areas upstream. He stressed that the Farakka barrage functions as a structure to manage water diversion, not as a dam.
“It is crucial to understand that Farakka is merely a barrage designed to divert 40,000 cusecs of water into the Farakka canal, with the remaining water continuing its natural flow into the Ganga/Padma river,” Jaiswal noted. He highlighted that this process is part of normal operations and does not significantly impact flood levels.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had previously addressed similar inaccuracies regarding flood reports related to the Gumti river in Tripura, emphasizing that floods on shared rivers are a common challenge that affects both nations. The MEA reiterated the importance of collaborative efforts to address such issues effectively and mitigate their impact on both sides.
Jaiswal’s comments reaffirm India’s commitment to transparency and cooperation in managing shared water resources, aiming to dispel misconceptions and foster constructive dialogue between the two countries.
