Farakka Barrage Controversy: What's The Truth Behind Bangladesh Flood Myths?

Bangladesh is currently grappling with devastating floods that have swept across the nation, fueled by relentless monsoon rains and overflowing rivers. The crisis has led to the tragic loss of 23 lives, while over 12.4 lakh families remain stranded across 11 districts. A staggering 57 lakh people are isolated, and desperately in need of food, clean water, medicine, and dry clothes.

Amid this catastrophe, reports have surfaced in Bangladesh attributing part of the flooding to the opening of the Farakka Barrage in West Bengal, India. These claims have prompted a swift fact-check by the Government of India, which has categorically rejected the allegations, labelling them as "fake."

India's Response On Farakka Barrage Myth

The Ministry of External Affairs, represented by spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, has dismissed the reports linking the Farakka Barrage to the floods in Bangladesh. "We have seen fake videos, rumours, and fear-mongering aimed at creating misunderstanding. This should be firmly countered with facts," Jaiswal stated. He emphasized that relevant data is regularly shared with the Joint River Commission officials in Bangladesh, ensuring transparency and timely communication.

Jaiswal clarified that the recent opening of the Farakka Barrage gates, which released over 11 lakh cusecs of water downstream, was a routine seasonal development. This occurs due to increased inflow from heavy rainfall in the Ganga river basin's catchment areas upstream. He further explained that the Farakka Barrage is a diversion structure, not a dam, and its primary function is to channel 40,000 cusecs of water into the Farakka Canal while allowing the remaining water to flow naturally into the Ganga/Padma River and onwards to Bangladesh.

Understanding the Farakka Barrage: History and Purpose

The Farakka Barrage, situated on the Ganga River in West Bengal's Murshidabad district, is located approximately 18 km from the Bangladesh border. Construction of the barrage began in 1962 and was completed in 1970 at a cost of nearly USD 1 billion. It officially commenced operations on April 21, 1975.

The primary purpose of the Farakka Barrage is to divert water into the Farakka Canal, ensuring the smooth operation of the Kolkata port by flushing out silt from the Bhagirathi Hooghly River. The barrage operates through a system of gates that carefully manage the water flow, allowing the balance to continue its natural course into Bangladesh.

The Farakka Barrage Agreement and Ganga Water Treaty

The Ganga River, which flows from India into Bangladesh, becomes the Padma River in Bangladesh before eventually draining into the Bay of Bengal. In 1977, India and Bangladesh signed an agreement to resolve the water-sharing issue related to the Farakka Barrage. This was followed by the Ganga Water Treaty in 1996, which formalized the terms for sharing surface waters at the Farakka Barrage near the India-Bangladesh border.

Bangladesh's Flood Vulnerability: A Climate Crisis

Bangladesh, one of the world's most climate-vulnerable countries, has long faced the threat of annual river flooding. A 2015 analysis by the World Bank Institute estimated that 3.5 million people in Bangladesh are at risk of such flooding. Scientists increasingly attribute the worsening severity of these catastrophic events to climate change.

As Bangladesh endures yet another flood crisis, the focus remains on providing immediate relief to the affected populations while addressing the broader challenges posed by climate change and transboundary water management.