Bangladesh asks India for flood data on Ganga, Brahmaputra, Barak: For more accurate and extended lead time flood forecasts, Bangladesh has requested flood data from upstream stations on the Ganga, Brahmaputra, Barak, and other rivers. However, according to sources, India has insisted Dhaka already receives enough data to do so.
To prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, India has, from this season on, extended the duration of flood data transmission to Bangladesh through to October 31.
The subject addressed at a Joint River Commission meeting with Bangladesh. On Thursday, the Joint Rivers Commission of India and Bangladesh conducted its 38th ministerial meeting in New Delhi.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, a minister for Jal Shakti, served as the head of the Indian delegation. State Minister for Water Resources Zaheed Farooque served as the board leader from Bangladesh.
The Bangladeshi team also included the deputy minister for water resources, Enamul Hoque Shameem.
Bangladesh has requested more upstream stations on the Ganga, Brahmaputra, Barak, and other rivers’ flood data to provide accurate and longer-lead time flood forecasts for the country. Still, India has insisted that it is already providing the neighboring nation with enough information.
The sources said that India had extended the original deadline of October 15 for flood data reporting until October 31.
The technical committee will create a standard operating procedure or protocol for exchanging flood data. Until then, the current system will continue to function. It was also determined during the meeting.
The fact that the conference conduct after a 12-year hiatus is significant. Even if technical exchanges under the auspices of the JRC have persisted. Water resources secretary-level conversations on Tuesday took place before the meeting.
According to a statement released by the Jal Shakti ministry, India and Bangladesh share 54 rivers. Seven of which previously designated for developing a framework of water-sharing agreements on priority.
It was decided during the conference to expand this current collaboration by adding eight additional rivers for data sharing. The subject will address in more detail at the JRC’s technical committee.
Bangladesh may utilize the five-day advice prediction that India is releasing based on the publicly accessible IMD rainfall projection.
The JRC and the ministerial-level meeting occur before Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s three-day visit to India, which begins on September 5. An official said that her discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi are likely to center on defense cooperation and regional stability.
