Farakka gate opening, normal seasonal development: New Delhi

Farakka Barrage. Photo collected.

Dhaka, Aug 26 – “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,” official Spokesperson at the Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal said on Monday in response to media queries.

He said 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,” said the MEA spokesperson.

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 balanced water flows into the main river to Bangladesh, he said.

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, said the spokesperson. - UNB