India opened 109 gates of the Farakka Barrage on Monday due to severe flooding in the states of Bihar and Jharkhand.
Approximately 1.1 million cusecs of water are expected to flow into Bangladesh within a day, heightening the risk of floods in parts of Bangladesh.
In response to media queries regarding Farakka barrage, the Official Spokesperson, Shri Randhir Jaiswal 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 Farakka 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 Farakka 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,' the spokeperson said.
India has 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.
