Sardar Uday Raihan, Executive Engineer of Flood Forecasting and Warning Center of Bangladesh Water Development Board (PUBO), said that the opening of Farakka Dam has not yet affected Bangladesh. The upstream Ganges water is stagnant and the same situation prevails in the Bangladesh part. At present the water of the river is flowing far below the danger line. It will remain stable for the next few days and there is no flood situation for now.
He gave this information to Desh Parwam in view of the opening of 109 gates of Farakka Barrage in the midst of severe floods in Bangladesh on Monday (August 26).
Sardar Uday Raihan also said that the water has decreased. Water receded at 12 out of 13 points. Besides, water is flowing below the sea line and will continue to do so. Naturally, the flood situation is improving. Although there is a possibility of heavy rainfall, it is not likely to increase the water level.
On the other hand, the former Director General of the River Research Institute and senior engineer M Inamul Haque told Desh Panwar, that there are 109 gates in Farakka. There is always something open. Opens more during monsoon. All are currently open. He said that there is no possibility of flood for now.
Meanwhile, Indian media News18 reported that the pressure is increasing in Farakka Barrage due to heavy rains and release of water from Bihar, Jharkhand. Therefore, the daily water release is increasing as the water of the Farakka Dam project exceeds the danger level. However, during the rest of the time, water is released downstream accordingly, as water remains upstream. 11 lakh cusecs of water has been released due to rise in water level of Ganga.
According to Farakka Dam project source, the amount of water coming in, the amount of water has been released. The danger level of Farakka Barrage has already crossed 77.34. India has released water fearing damage to the Farakka barrage.
Farakka Barrage General Manager Ar Desh Pandey said that the Farakka Barrage authorities are always alert. They are monitoring the situation at all times. In a very short time, the water pressure increased so much that if not all 109 gates were opened, great pressure was being created on the barrage. This could have resulted in major damage. For now, 40 thousand cusecs of water has been released in the feeder canal and 11 lakh cusecs in the downstream.