In response to a question, the official spokesperson on Friday clarified that media reports regarding release of water from Farakka Barrage (India) contributing to floods in Bangladesh are 'erroneous and misleading'. Citing the Ministry of Water Resources of India, the spokesperson said it has clarified that the gates of Farakka Barrage are operated for the smooth flow of Ganges River through Farakka Barrage. Padma, the main course of the Ganges, enters Bangladesh from India near Chapainawabganj and meets the Jamuna River at Rajbarhi's Goalonda. “All the gates of Farakka Barrage remain open during the monsoon to release water through the Farakka Barrage- it is nothing new,” the minister had said. The spokesperson said according to existing arrangements between India and Bangladesh, flood alerts during monsoon are communicated for Farakka and Sahibganj sites by field offices of Central Water Commission (India) to their Bangladesh counterparts.

Source: bd News24 September 03, 2016 05:48 UTC