NEW DELHI, Aug 26 : India on Monday slammed “fake videos, rumours and fear mongering” in flood-hit Bangladesh to create misunderstanding regarding release of water by India from the Farakka barrage and said that this should be firmly countered with facts.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said:
“We have seen media reports of the opening of Farraka barrage gates that will allow the flow of over 11 lakh cusecs of water downstream of the river in its natural course into the Ganga/Padma river.
“This is a normal seasonal development that takes place due to increased inflow from heavy rainfall in the Ganga river basin catchment areas upstream.
“It is to be understood that Farraka is only a barrage and not a dam. Whenever, water level reaches the pond level, whatever inflow comes that passes.
“It is merely a structure to divert 40,000 cusecs of water into the Farraka canal that is carefully done using a system of gates on the main Ganga/Padma river, while the balance water flows into the main river to Bangladesh.
“Data, as per protocol, is shared with the concerned Joint River Commission officials in Bangladesh on a regular and timely basis. It has been done this time as well.
“We have seen fake videos, rumours and fear mongering to create misunderstanding. This should be firmly countered with facts.”
The MEA response comes as Bangladeshi media reports said that India has opened all the gates of the Farakka barrage that is situated on the Ganges River in Murshidabad district of West Bengal, around 18km from the Bangladesh border.
The Dhaka Tribune reported that:
“India has opened all the gates of the Farakka Barrage due to heavy rains in Bihar and Jharkhand. “M Inamul Haque, former director general of River Research Institute, Bangladesh Haor Development Board and Water Resources Planning Organisation, confirmed the matter on Monday”, the Dhaka Tribune said.
“The Farakka Barrage has 109 gates. Some are always open, and during the monsoon season, more gates are opened. Currently, all of them are open. There is no possibility of flooding,” he said.
“The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre is monitoring the water level. Farakka Barrage General Manager R Desh Pandey said the Farakka Barrage authority is always on alert and is monitoring the situation constantly.
“Given the sudden surge in water pressure, it became necessary to open all 109 gates to relieve the pressure on the barrage. Failing to do so could have caused significant damage. Currently, 40,000 cusecs of water are being released into the feeder canal, and 1.1 million cusecs downstream,” he said, according to Dhaka Tribune.
(UNI)
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