The livelihoods of millions are at stake
- The recent photo shows the Atrai river in Manda upazila of Naogaon district almost dries up during summer
The recent lack of rain is exacerbating the harm caused by rivers drying up due to downstream water flows being shared unequally by India.
Some 16 rivers have nearly dried out into streams during the current heat wave, while others have dried up entirely so that people now cross them on foot.
It is vital for talks between Bangladesh and India to pick up and for a solution to the water-sharing problem to be reached.
Our nation is not receiving its proper share of water from the Indian portions of the rivers. Northern parts of Bangladesh are facing a severe water crisis that is causing extensive hardship for farmers and affecting millions.
The average water flow of the Teesta in April, previously at around 8,000 cusecs of water, has dropped to a staggering 550 cusecs of water. The Brahmaputra and Dudhkumor rivers are running dry, and the Nilkumar riverbed has turned into cropland. This is an unprecedented level of damage.
Different political parties and movements have recently held demonstrations to highlight the problem of water scarcity.
It is incumbent on the governments of Bangladesh and India, which have 54 rivers in common, to urgently review and resolve water-sharing issues. Diplomatic talks are an urgent priority in order to ensure that India complies with its obligations and written commitments to fairly share water.
This crisis needs to be resolved fairly and quickly. The lives and livelihoods of millions are at stake.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
