BANGLADESH FLOODS

TAG: GS 1: GEOGRAPHY

THE CONTEXT: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India has responded to concerns and allegations from Bangladesh that the recent floods in its eastern districts were caused by the release of water from the Dumbur dam in Tripura.

EXPLANATION:

• In a statement issued, the MEA clarified that these claims are factually incorrect.
• The Indian government emphasized that the flooding in Bangladesh is primarily due to the heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of the Gumti River, not because of intentional water release from the dam.

Heavy Rainfall in the Gumti River Catchment Area

• The catchment areas of the Gumti River, which flows through both India and Bangladesh, have experienced the heaviest rains of the year in recent days.
• This significant rainfall has resulted in large volumes of water entering the river system, which has subsequently led to flooding in downstream areas, including parts of Bangladesh.
• The statement stressed that the flooding was “primarily due to waters from these large catchments downstream of the dam,” thereby downplaying the role of the Dumbur dam in this natural disaster.

Location and Function of the Dumbur Dam

• The MEA highlighted that the Dumbur dam is situated more than 120 kilometers upstream from the Bangladesh border.
• The dam itself is relatively low in height, approximately 30 meters, and primarily functions as a hydroelectric power generator.
• It contributes to the regional power grid, supplying 40 MW of electricity, which includes power drawn by Bangladesh from Tripura.
• The geographical distance and the function of the dam make it less likely that its operations could have a direct and immediate impact on flooding in Bangladesh.

Automatic Releases and Monitoring Sites

• In events of heavy inflow, like the ones caused by recent rains, the Dumbur dam has experienced automatic water releases.
• To monitor the situation, there are three water level observation sites along the 120-kilometer river course: Amarpur, Sonamura, and Sonamura 2.
• These sites provide data on water levels, which are crucial for understanding and managing flood risks.

Communication and Data Sharing Protocols

• As part of a bilateral protocol, India shares real-time flood data with Bangladesh to help manage and mitigate the impact of flooding.
• The Amarpur station, for instance, is involved in transmitting this data.
• The MEA stated that rising water trends were communicated to Bangladesh until 1500 hours on August 21, 2024.
• However, a power outage caused by flooding at 1800 hours created communication challenges.
• Despite these difficulties, India made efforts to maintain communication through alternative channels to ensure that crucial data could still be shared with Bangladesh.

Mutual Cooperation

• The MEA statement acknowledged that floods along the shared rivers between India and Bangladesh pose significant challenges, causing suffering to people on both sides of the border.
• The MEA called for “close mutual cooperation” to address these shared problems.
• As India and Bangladesh share 54 common cross-border rivers, river water cooperation is a critical aspect of their bilateral relationship.
• The Indian government reaffirmed its commitment to resolving water-related issues through bilateral consultations and technical discussions.

Gumti river

• The Gumti River, also known as the Gomti or Gumati, is a significant river located in the northeastern Indian state of Tripura and the Comilla district of Bangladesh.
• The river originates from the Dumbur region in Tripura and flows for approximately 167.4 km (104 miles) before it merges with the Meghna River in Bangladesh.
• Its length within India is about 95 km, while the remaining stretch flows through Bangladesh.
• The river is characterized by a strong current, with flow rates varying dramatically from 100 to 20,000 cubic feet per second, particularly during the rainy season when its width can reach around 100 meters.
• During the monsoon season, the Gumti River experiences significant flooding, often rising more than 1.5 meters above the surrounding areas.
• This can lead to flash floods, which are common in the region. In contrast, during the winter months, the river’s flow diminishes, making it fordable at many locations

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-bangladesh-floods-issue-august-22/article68553971.ece