Farakka Barrage: India calls out fake videos, rumours about release of water from Farakka Barrage

India on Monday said that “fake videos, rumours and fear-mongering” in flood-affected Bangladesh are intended to create misunderstandings about the release of water by India from the Farakka Barrage and this must be firmly countered with facts.

“We have seen media reports of the opening of Farakka barrage gates that will allow the flow of over 11 lakh cusecs of water downstream of the river in its natural course into the Ganga/Padma River,” MEA spokesperson 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,” the spokesperson said.

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, according to Jaiswal.

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. “We have seen fake videos, rumours and fear mongering to create misunderstanding. This should be firmly countered with facts,” Jaiswal said.