India opens all Farakka gates, fresh flood feared

The water level of some rivers in the northern region might swell as India has opened all the 119 gates of Farakka barrage to ensure speedy discharge of the Ganges water following flood in Patna and 12 other districts.

According to the Times of India, the Centre opened all the gates following a request from Pataliputra MP Ravi Shankar Prasad.

Ravi Shankar Prasad contacted union minister for water resources and urged him to ensure that 119 gates of the Farakka barrage were raised to prevent floods in Patna and 12 other districts, sources close to Prasad said.

Officials of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) here said almost all the Farakka gates remain open during the monsoon.

However, the neighbouring country opens 80-90 gates sometimes depending on rainfall and the flood situation.

Rajshahi BWDB executive engineer (current charge in Chapainawabganj) Syed Saidul Alam said the water level increased by 11cm till Monday evening. “Following the rise in the water level, we assumed that all the gates of Farakka barrage were opened,” he said, adding that water level of the Padma river also saw a rise following persistent rain.

At present, the water is flowing at 17.98cm at the Rajshahi point, Saidul said, adding that it is likely to cross the danger level at 18.50 cm in the next two days which may lead to flooding.

Meanwhile, people of the chars along the Padma have been directed to take shelter in safe places, according to a Facebook post made by state minister for foreign affairs Shahriar Alam.

As per the post, the water level is likely to increase till 5 October and then it may start to recede.