India has described as ‘erroneous and misleading’ the media reports that stated water released from the Farakka Barrage in West Bengal is contributing to floods in Bangladesh. "In response to a question, an Indian official has clarified that media reports regarding the release of water from Farakka Barrage (India) contributing to floods in Bangladesh are erroneous and misleading,” according to the website of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. “The Ministry of Water Resources of India has clarified that the gates of Farakka Barrage are operated to smoothly pass the flows of Ganga river. The barrage gates remain open during the monsoon for smooth passage of flows of the Ganga river, which is a routine and unavoidable activity,” ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said on Friday.
“Even a Bangladesh media report of 31 August 2016 has quoted Hon’ble Minister (Water Resources), of Bangladesh saying that "India did not open the gates of Farakka Barrage suddenly, and there is no possibility of fresh floods in the country. All the gates of Farakka Barrage remain open during the monsoon to release water through the Farakka Barrage- it is nothing new,” he said. Further, the spokesperson said, “In accordance with the standing arrangement between India and Bangladesh, flood alerts during the monsoon season are communicated for Farakka & Sahibganj sites; by field offices of central water commission (India) to their Bangladesh counterparts.” “Being a routine procedure, no special intimation or alert regarding the opening of gates is issued. The Flood Forecasting & Warning Centre (Bangladesh) has been quoted in the media stating that the latest water rise was natural and not unusual or abnormal in the month of August,” he added.