The Wire Staff 
New Delhi: India on Monday denied that it was responsible for the Bangladesh floods due to the opening of the Farakka barrage in West Bengal.
The barrage, built on the Ganga river passing through Murshidabad, supplies power to the Farakka Super Thermal Power Station.
External affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, responding to media queries on the matter, said, “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.
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.”
Jaiswal said that data has been shared with Bangladesh “on a regular and timely basis”.
“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,” he added.
Last week India had called Bangladeshi news reports, alleging that the flood situation in certain parts of the country has been caused by the opening of a dam on the Gumti river in Tripura, as “factually incorrect”.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said floods on the common rivers between the two countries are a “shared” problem inflicting suffering on people on both sides and requires close mutual cooperation towards resolving it.