The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday took note of the media reports regarding the release of water through the Farakka barrage allegedly leading to floods in Bangladesh.
MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the release of over 11 lakh cusecs of water downstream is a normal seasonal development and added that the data is shared with the concerned Bangladeshi officials on a regular basis.
"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," a statement of the MEA said.
"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," it added.
The MEA said that data is shared with the concerned Joint River Commission officials in Bangladesh as per protocol on a regular basis. It added that the data has been shared this time as well.
The government also warned against sharing fake videos, rumours and fear-mongering by saying that these should be "firmly countered with facts.”
Bangladeshi media reports on Monday claimed that India opened 109 gates of Farakka Barrage due to floods in the northern lands and released around 11 lakh cusecs of water into Bangladesh on a single day.
The reports claimed risks of flooding in Bangladesh. They added that several areas in Bangladesh, including Feni, Noakhali, Cumilla and Moulvibazar, have been inundated as Domboor and Gazoldoba dams were recently opened.