India opens 109 gates of Farakka Barrage

India opened 109 gates of Farakka Barrage today (26 August) to release excess water from the Ganga River, which is at an unusually high level in Bihar, Prothom Alo reports citing an Indian government source.

However, it is uncertain whether the opening of the Farakka gates has increased the risk of flooding in Bangladesh. Water from the 109 gates is being released in a controlled manner, the report states.

According to the Indian government source, the term ‘controlled’ means that all the Farakka Barrage gates are not open to the same height. Some gates are open 10 to 12 feet, while others are only open 3 to 4 feet. This ensures that the same amount of water is not being released through all gates. 

The source said this approach is being taken to avoid flooding in any area.

“Since the Farakka Barrage gates were opened on August 24, water levels have risen, but not significantly enough to cause flooding,” according to the source. 

The source noted that if the water levels had risen significantly, the Farakka and Shamsherganj blocks in northern Murshidabad would have been partially washed away before the water level of Padma River rose, which has not happened. This indicates that the controlled release of water has prevented flooding in the two districts of the Farakka river basin.

However, the source cautioned that if the Ganga River levels continue to rise in Bihar, it’s difficult to predict what may happen in the coming days.

Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement in response to the concerns of flooding and “fake videos, rumours” regarding the opening of Farakka barrage gates. 

“We have seen media reports of the opening of Farraka 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,” official Spokesperson at the Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal said today in response to media queries.

He 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.

“It is to be understood that Farraka is only a barrage and not a dam. Whenever, water level reaches the pond level, whatever inflow comes that passes,” said the MEA spokesperson.

Sarder Udoy Raihan, executive engineer of Bangladesh Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC), told Prothom Alo that water levels have not risen at the points where water enters Bangladesh from the Farakka Barrage. 

However, weather forecasts indicate that rainfall may increase in Khulna and Barishal, potentially leading to rising water levels in rivers. 

Water from the Farakka Barrage enters Bangladesh’s Padma River through the Ganga in West Bengal, specifically at the Pankha Point in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj district. 

According to FFWC, the water level at this point today is 20.5, which is below the danger level of 22.5.